In a major success against transnational cybercrime, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a key figure in an elaborate international fraud syndicate that extorted victims in the United States and Canada through threats and fake law enforcement identities. The arrest, made in Mumbai on June 26, 2025, followed coordinated raids in Mumbai and Ahmedabad as part of the agency’s Operation Chakra-V, an ongoing campaign targeting global cybercrime networks.
According to the CBI, the suspect is a central operative in a criminal enterprise that impersonated government officials to intimidate foreign nationals into making cryptocurrency payments under duress. Victims were told they faced legal trouble or fines and were pressured to settle matters immediately through virtual currencies, payments that were quickly laundered through complex digital channels.
Inside the Fraud Network: Deception, Luxury, and Digital Assets
During simultaneous search operations on June 25, investigators uncovered what officials described as a sophisticated infrastructure designed to carry out the cross-border scams. Recovered items included telecom systems used for mass calls, pre-written scripts filled with intimidating legal jargon, forged ID cards and badges posing as Canadian police credentials, and other paraphernalia supporting the impersonation schemes.
Authorities also seized virtual digital assets valued at approximately USD 45,000, tracing them back to crypto wallets allegedly used for collecting illicit proceeds. The suspect’s lifestyle painted a telling picture: ownership of expensive vehicles, designer clothing, frequent international trips, and significant unexplained wealth.
“This case demonstrates how cybercriminals today exploit technology, social engineering, and virtual currencies to obscure illegal gains and finance lavish lifestyles,” a CBI spokesperson said in a statement.
Targeting North America: Fake Cops and Crypto Threats
The fraud network specialised in impersonating law enforcement and government officials from the United States and Canada, using fear tactics to extort payments. By falsely implicating victims in fictitious legal troubles, the scammers demanded “hush payments” in cryptocurrency to avoid arrest or further legal action.
In a disturbing example of how cybercrime exploits trust in public institutions, the syndicate crafted fake identity materials, including Canadian police badges and credentials, to increase the credibility of their calls.
The scale and sophistication of the operation underscore the challenges facing law enforcement in combating crimes that cross digital and national boundaries.
Royal Tiger Gang: A Known Threat in the U.S.
The arrested suspect is allegedly a leader of the so-called “Royal Tiger Gang,” a cybercrime outfit previously identified by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a major threat under its Consumer Communication Information Services Threat (C-CIST) framework. The FCC has linked the gang to unlawful robocalls that impersonate banks, government agencies, and utility companies, seeking to manipulate and defraud American consumers.
By leveraging these illegal robocalls, the gang was able to gain victims’ trust or scare them into compliance, creating an effective yet insidious scam that spanned continents.
CBI’s Next Steps: Interrogation and International Collaboration
Following the arrest, the CBI confirmed that the suspect was presented before a local court and has been remanded to four days of custody for further questioning. Investigators hope to unravel the broader web of accomplices and financial channels used to launder the extorted funds.
In its statement, the CBI reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on cyber-enabled financial crime, highlighting the urgency of cross-border cooperation. “Given the transnational nature and global reach of such digital fraud networks, international collaboration is essential to dismantle these criminal enterprises effectively,” the agency said.
Operation Chakra-V, launched to disrupt cybercrime networks that prey on global victims, continues to target syndicates like the Royal Tiger Gang. The CBI urged citizens, especially those abroad, to stay vigilant against unsolicited calls demanding immediate payments or threatening arrest and to report any suspicious activity to local authorities or cybercrime helplines.
A Wake-Up Call for Cybersecurity
This high-profile arrest highlights the evolving risks in an increasingly digital world, where criminals blend technology and psychological manipulation to target victims thousands of miles away. As cybercrime grows more sophisticated, law enforcement agencies worldwide face a critical challenge: closing the gaps that allow international fraud rings to thrive and ensuring justice reaches beyond borders.
The CBI’s recent success sends a clear message: while cybercriminals may hide behind screens and cryptocurrency, coordinated efforts by dedicated investigators can and will bring them to justice.
