CBI & FBI Working Together? India-U.S. Operation Dismantles Rs. 350 Crores Global Cybercrime Empire | #cybercrime | #infosec

India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), working in tandem with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has dismantled a sprawling transnational cybercrime syndicate accused of defrauding American citizens of nearly $40 million (Rs. 350 Crores) through elaborate tech-support scams. The arrests, announced this week, are being described as a significant milestone in cross-border law enforcement cooperation between the two countries.

The U.S. Embassy in India hailed the development as “a big week for U.S.-India law enforcement collaboration,” emphasizing the role of shared intelligence in exposing the fraud network. The coordinated operation comes against the backdrop of a series of stern advisories from the U.S. Embassy in July, reminding foreign nationals that criminal activity on American soil can lead to visa revocations and permanent bans on reentry.

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Tech-Support Scams and a Growing Web of Fraud

The dismantled network reportedly operated by luring U.S. nationals into fraudulent online support calls, convincing them to pay for bogus technical services. Investigators said the syndicate had perfected a pattern of impersonating legitimate service providers, exploiting both the elderly and less digitally literate populations.

While Indian enforcement agencies have previously cracked down on call-centre fraud, the $40 million figure underscores the sheer scale and sophistication of the current operation. Both governments stressed that this coordinated strike is not just about arrests but about preventing future scams by targeting infrastructure and financial flows that sustain such networks.

Visa Warnings and Diplomatic Undercurrents

The crackdown unfolded only weeks after the U.S. Embassy issued multiple warnings in July about the consequences foreign nationals could face if convicted of crimes in America. On July 26, it cautioned that U.S. visas can be revoked for foreign visitors engaging in unlawful acts, including assault and fraud, with bans lasting a lifetime in some cases.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs echoed the message, urging citizens to follow local laws while abroad and maintain a positive image of the country. The CBI-FBI operation highlights both the growing concern over cyber-enabled fraud and the increasing emphasis on international partnerships in tackling it.