Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted cybercrime networks in parts of India allegedly involving online child sexual exploitation with international linkages after the federal agency received inputs from the USA, official sources said.
” On the basis of inputs received from the USA , the CBI launched Operation Hawk and successfully dismantled the cybercrime networks involving online child sexual exploitation with international linkages,” the CBI said.
The International Operations Division of CBI registered a case against one Sheik Muizz Ahmed under section 506 of Indian Penal Code as well as section 66D of Information Technology Act, 2000
and section 12 read with section 11 of POCSO Act, 2012 and launched investigation to detect the cybercrime network involving online sexual exploitation.
During March, 2024, accused Sheikh Muizz Ahmed, a resident of Mangalore, operated through social media platform “Discord” under the username “heisenberg7343” and engaged in online chats
with ” a minor girl from the US.”
During chats, the accused induced the minor girl to engage in sexualized chats with him and he further enticed her to share her obscene images/videos with him over the said platform, the CBI said.
“The accused also intimidated the minor victim to engage in obscene sexual activities online,” the federal agency stated.
Following registration of the case, the CBI conducted extensive searches at various locations in Mumbai and Mangalore linked to the accused leading to recovery of electronic devices viz mobile phone and laptop which contained CSAM obtained by the accused from the minor girl victim by way of inducement.
Accused Sheikh Muizz Ahmed was arrested by the CBI and sent to judicial custody.
The International Operations Division of CBI registered another case against Mukul Saini under section 506 of Indian Penal Code as well as section 67 of Information Technology Act, 2000 and section 12 read with sections 11 and 15 of POCSO Act, 2012 and launched investigation.
During the period 2023-2024, accused Mukul Saini, resident of Delhi operated through social media platform “Discord” vide IDs “Izumi#9412”, “Izumi#7070”, “Deadddd#6873” and “Arisu” and engaged in online chats with a minor girl from USA.
During chats, the accused induced the minor girl to engage in sexualized chats with him and share her obscene images/videos with him over the said platform, the federal agency said.
The accused also intimidated the minor victim to continue sharing her obscene images/videos, otherwise he will make her obscene images/videos viral on the internet.
The investigation agency then conducted extensive searches at various locations in Delhi linked to the accused leading to recovery of electronic devices via mobile phones and computer hard disks containing incriminating digital evidence relating to the case.
Earlier, the CBI had launched Operation CARBON in 2021 and Operation Megh Chakra in 2022 as part of its efforts for rapid response to online child sexual exploitation cases with international linkages and trace accused, suspects and conspirators, located across international jurisdictions, requiring a globally coordinated law enforcement response.
