New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday conducted raids at ten locations across Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Delhi, Hisar, and Lucknow, as part of its nationwide drive against cyber-enabled financial frauds under Operation Chakra-V.

During the operation, a man identified as Pratik Tanpure was arrested from Kalyan in Maharashtra’s Thane district.

As per the CBI, the extensive searches were linked to a case involving a sophisticated scam that duped unsuspecting individuals through a fraudulent mobile app and WhatsApp groups.

“The perpetrators deceitfully lured innocent investors by promising shares of reputed listed companies at discounted rates. Once the victims invested their hard-earned money, the accused misappropriated the funds, causing significant financial loss to the public,” the agency said.

Incriminating digital and documentary evidence was recovered from the premises of the accused, shedding light on the elaborate scheme used to deceive the public.

Tanpure allegedly played a key role in supplying pre-activated SIM cards and mule bank accounts to cybercriminal syndicates, thereby facilitating and sustaining their operations.

The CBI said a substantial amount of incriminating material was found in his possession.

Operation Chakra-V is the agency’s initiative to dismantle cybercrime syndicates and their enabling infrastructure.