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CBI Files Charges Against 13 in Digital Arrest Fraud Case Linked to Myanmar Cyber Slave Compounds

✇Cybersecurity News and Magazine
By:Mihir Bagwe
11 December 2025 at 08:02

Digital Arrest, CBI, Digital Arrest Fraud, Cyber Fraud

India's Central Bureau of Investigation filed charges against 13 individuals who are accused of operating a "Digital Arrest" cyber fraud ring. The agency analyzed over 15,000 IP addresses that revealed extensive cross-border connections to masterminds based in Cambodia, Hong Kong, and China, with evidence indicating cyber slave compounds in Myanmar and neighboring areas as emerging major hubs where trafficked Indian nationals are coerced to run call-center style cybercrime operations.

Digital Arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials who convince victims they face serious legal troubles requiring immediate resolution through fund transfers, often keeping victims on video calls for extended periods to create psychological pressure and prevent them from seeking help or verification.

The case, registered suo motu by CBI to comprehensively investigate ten significant Digital Arrest scam incidents reported nationwide, is part of the agency's focused crackdown under Operation Chakra-V, which targets organized transnational cybercrimes amid a steep rise in such offenses.

Also read: CBI’s Coordinated Strike Takes Down Transnational Cybercrime Network in India

Searches Across Six States

CBI conducted coordinated searches across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, and West Bengal, in October. These operations led to recovery of incriminating material including electronic devices, communication logs, financial records, and other digital evidence, the investigating agency said. Three accused persons were arrested based on recovered evidence and are currently in judicial custody.

Technical analysis revealed several key bank accounts used for collecting and routing victim funds were controlled by masterminds based in Cambodia, Hong Kong, and China. From the vast technical dataset, India-based IP addresses were isolated, enabling targeted searches and identification of domestic operatives.

Myanmar Cyber Slave Compounds Execute Frauds

Multiple streams of evidence indicate that cyber slave compounds operating in Myanmar and neighboring areas have become major execution hubs for Digital Arrest frauds. Trafficked Indian nationals are coerced into running call-center style cybercrime operations from these facilities, often under physical and mental abuse and at times even at gun-point.

These findings align with intelligence gathered during parallel CBI investigations into cyber-slavery and organized digital exploitation networks in South-East Asia, exposing the human trafficking dimension underlying transnational cybercrime operations.

Also read: Indian Authorities Allege Massive Trafficking Scheme in Chinese Controlled Scam Centers

Systematic Dismantling of Fraud Infrastructure

The investigation generated significant leads on financial trails, call-flow patterns, VoIP routing, remote-access tool misuse, and broader technology infrastructure supporting Digital Arrest scams. This systematic, case-by-case dismantling of each operational component remains central to CBI's evolving cybercrime enforcement strategy.

CBI filed the chargesheet within the statutory 60-day period under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act. Further investigation continues to identify additional conspirators, facilitators, money-mule handlers, and overseas infrastructure enabling these transnational cyber fraud operations.

The agency, last month, arrested a bank manager of a private bank in Mumbai for his active role in opening of mule accounts which facilitated in laundering the money collected from cybercrime operations. CBI's investigation revealed that the arrested bank official, in collusion with cybercriminals, accepted illegal gratification and by abusing his official position had processed the account opening forms. CBI, at the time, "established that these accounts were actively used in multiple cybercrimes, including cases of Digital Arrest frauds."

The Indian agencies, in a bid to disrupt and eradicate the cybercrime menace has ramped up operations against several fraud syndicates. Just this week, the CBI had also identified and filed charges against 30 individuals and companies, including two Chinese nationals for running a cyber fraud ring that defrauded Indians of ₹1,000 Cr (approximately US$112 million).
Read: CBI Files Chargesheet Against 30 Including Two Chinese Nationals in ₹1,000 Cr Cyber Fraud Network

The crackdown under Operation Chakra-V demonstrates India's determination to combat transnational cybercrime networks exploiting vulnerable citizens while addressing the human trafficking dimension where Indian nationals become both perpetrators and victims of cyber-slavery operations in Southeast Asian facilities.

India Enforces Mandatory SIM-Binding for Messaging Apps Under New DoT Rules

✇Cybersecurity News and Magazine
By:Ashish Khaitan
1 December 2025 at 01:36

SIM-binding

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced a shift in the way messaging platforms operate in the country, mandating the adoption of SIM-binding as a core security requirement. Under the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025, all major messaging services, including Telegram, and regional platforms such as Arattai, must ensure that their applications remain continuously linked to an active SIM card on the user’s device.   The mandate is part of the government’s intensified efforts to combat cyber fraud and strengthen nationwide cybersecurity compliance. The directive requires App-Based Communication Service providers to implement persistent SIM-linking within 90 days and submit detailed cybersecurity compliance reports within 120 days. The move seeks to eliminate longstanding gaps in identity verification systems that have enabled malicious actors to misuse Indian mobile numbers from outside the country. 

New Rules for SIM-Binding Communication 

According to the new requirements, messaging services must operate only when the user’s active SIM card matches the credentials stored by the app. If a SIM card is removed, replaced, or deactivated, the corresponding app session must immediately cease to function. The rules also extend to web-based interfaces: platforms must automatically log users out at least every six hours, requiring a QR-based reauthentication that is tied to the same active SIM.  These changes aim to reduce the misuse of Indian telecom identifiers, which authorities say have been exploited for spoofing, impersonation, and other forms of cyber fraud. By enforcing strict SIM-binding, the DoT intends to establish a clearer traceability chain between the user, their device, and their telecom credentials. 

Why Stricter Controls Were Needed 

Government observations revealed that many communication apps continued functioning even after the linked SIM card was removed. This allowed foreign-based actors to operate accounts associated with Indian mobile numbers without proper authentication. The ability to hijack accounts or mask locations contributed directly to an uptick in cybercrimes, often involving financial scams or identity theft.  Industry groups had previously flagged this vulnerability as well. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), for instance, noted that authentication typically occurs only once, during initial setup, which leaves apps operational even if the SIM is no longer present. By requiring ongoing SIM-binding, authorities aim to close this loophole and establish reliable verification pathways essential for cybersecurity compliance.  The new mandate draws support from multiple regulatory frameworks, including the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and subsequent cybersecurity rules issued in 2024 and 2025. Platforms that fail to comply could face penalties, service restrictions, or other legal consequences under India’s telecom and cybersecurity laws. 

Impact on Platforms and Users 

Messaging platforms must redesign parts of their infrastructure to support real-time SIM authentication and implement secure logout mechanisms for multi-device access. They are also expected to maintain detailed logs and participate in audits to demonstrate cybersecurity compliance.  For users, the changes may introduce constraints. Accessing a messaging app without the original active SIM will no longer be possible. Cross-device flexibility, particularly through desktop or browser-based interfaces, may also be reduced due to the six-hour logout requirement. However, policymakers argue that these inconveniences are offset by a reduced risk of cyber fraud.  India’s focus on SIM-binding aligns with practices already common in financial services. Banking and UPI applications, for example, require an active SIM for verification to minimize fraud. Other regulators have taken similar steps: earlier in 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed linking trading accounts to specific SIM cards and incorporating biometric checks to prevent unauthorized transactions. 

India Mandates Pre-Installed Cybersecurity App on Smartphones

In a parallel move to strengthen digital security, India’s telecom ministry has ordered all major smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi, to pre-install its cybersecurity app Sanchar Saathi on all new devices within 90 days, and push it via updates to existing devices. The app must be installed in a way that users cannot disable or delete it. Launched in January, Sanchar Saathi has already helped recover over 700,000 lost phones, blocked 3.7 million stolen devices, terminated 30 million fraudulent connections, and assists in tracking devices and preventing counterfeit phones. The app verifies IMEI numbers, blocks stolen devices, and combats scams involving duplicate or spoofed IMEIs. The move is aimed at strengthening India’s telecom cybersecurity but may face resistance from Apple and privacy advocates, as Apple traditionally opposes pre-installation of government or third-party apps. Industry officials have expressed concerns over privacy, user choice, and operational feasibility, while the government emphasizes the app’s role in digital safety and fraud prevention.
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