New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Gujarat-based man in connection with an alleged transnational cyber-financial fraud operation that reportedly defrauded US citizens of more than USD 7.21 million over the past two years.
The accused, identified as Ankit Satishchandra Pandey, was arrested on September 23, according to the CBI. The agency alleged that he played a key role in establishing and operating an illegal call centre through which US nationals were targeted.
According to the CBI, the accused allegedly impersonated officials from US agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), US Attorney’s Office and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Investigators said victims were contacted through Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications and falsely told that their identities had been used by another person to access child pornography through their computer systems.
The callers allegedly used the false claims to pressure victims into withdrawing money from their bank accounts. Some victims were also allegedly persuaded to purchase gold and hand it over to couriers associated with the fraud network in the United States.
The CBI said the victims were collectively defrauded of more than USD 7.21 million through the alleged scheme.
Following the arrest, the agency conducted searches at locations in Ahmedabad linked to the accused. Electronic devices and other materials containing alleged digital evidence were seized during the searches.
The CBI is continuing its investigation to establish the full extent of the alleged operation and identify other individuals who may have been involved.
The allegations are part of the ongoing investigation, and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with law.
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