In a significant move to curb digital financial crimes, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken strict legal action against a massive international cheating ring. On Sunday, the agency filed a comprehensive chargesheet implicating 17 individuals—including four foreign nationals—and 58 different corporate entities for their involvement in a sophisticated cyber fraud network.
This legal action marks a major milestone in 'Operation CHAKRA-V,' the agency's dedicated campaign against organized financial crimes in the digital space. The investigation exposed a syndicate that had established a complex web of technology and finance to swindle thousands of Indian citizens.
According to the CBI, the fraudsters targeted victims through a variety of online traps. These included predatory loan applications, fake "part-time job" offers, fraudulent multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes, and rigged online gaming platforms.
Anatomy of a ₹1,000 Crore Scam
The probe revealed that the network was not a scattered group of petty criminals but a highly organized conspiracy. The scammers utilized 111 shell companies to execute their plans. These companies were created using fake addresses, forged documents, and "dummy directors" who had no real control over the business.
These shell entities served a specific purpose: to open merchant and bank accounts to funnel stolen money. By analyzing the money trail, investigators discovered that over ₹1,000 crore had been laundered through these accounts. In one shocking instance, a single account received deposits totaling more than ₹152 crore in a very brief period.
The Foreign Connection
The CBI’s findings point to a fraud ring controlled from overseas. The investigation identified four foreign masterminds—Zou Yi, Huan Liu, Weijian Liu, and Guanhua Wang—who directed operations from abroad. They instructed their Indian associates to set up companies starting in 2020.
Using advanced tech like cloud computing, SIM-box messaging, and bulk SMS services, the group masked their identities while managing the flow of funds. Forensic analysis of seized digital devices confirmed that the accused maintained real-time control over the Indian bank accounts from foreign locations as recently as August 2025.
The case, which originated from intelligence provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs' I4C wing, underscores the growing threat of transnational cybercrime. The CBI has invoked charges related to criminal conspiracy, forgery, and the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019.
