CBI, FBI bust Noida cyber scam targeting US nationals

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) , in coordination with the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) , has dismantled a major transnational cybercrime syndicate operating from Noida , which allegedly defrauded US nationals of USD 8.5 million through elaborate tech-support scams.

The operation, carried out under Operation Chakra , led to the arrest of six key operatives and the seizure of Rs 1.88 crore in cash , along with 34 electronic devices , including mobile phones, laptops, hard disks and pen drives. Investigators identified and shut down an illegal call centre in Noida that was being used as the base for executing the tech-support scam.

According to a CBI press release dated December 12, the agency acted on intelligence inputs shared by the FBI, uncovering a sophisticated cyber-enabled financial crime network that had been targeting American citizens since 2022.

Between 2022 and 2025 , the accused allegedly impersonated officials from US government agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) , FBI , and the Social Security Administration (SSA) . Victims were threatened with asset freeze after being falsely told that their Social Security Numbers were linked to money laundering and drug trafficking cases.

Under pressure, victims were allegedly coerced into transferring money to cryptocurrency wallets and foreign bank accounts controlled by the syndicate, resulting in total losses estimated at USD 8.5 million .

The case was registered on December 9, followed by coordinated searches on December 10 and 11 across locations in Delhi, Noida and Kolkata. Six individuals were caught red-handed while operating the fraudulent call centre and were taken into custody.

Reacting to the crackdown, the US Embassy in India described the action as “a great example of #USIndia partnership in action ,” highlighting close cooperation between Indian and American law enforcement agencies.

CBI officials said the proceeds of crime were routed through virtual assets and banking channels, and further investigations are underway to trace additional funds and identify international links connected to the network.