CBI’s ‘Operation Hawk’ Busts International Online Child Exploitation Racket; Two Arrested From Mumbai And Delhi

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), based on inputs received from the USA, launched Operation Hawk and has taken swift action to successfully dismantle the cybercrime networks involving online child sexual exploitation with international linkages.

Following registration of the case, the CBI conducted extensive searches at various locations in Mumbai and Mangalore linked to the accused, leading to the recovery of electronic devices, including a mobile phone and laptop which contained Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) obtained by the accused from the minor girl victim by way of inducement.

Accused Sheikh Muizz Ahmed has been arrested by the CBI, agency officials informed on Wednesday.

The International Operations Division of CBI had registered a case against Sheikh Muizz Ahmed and had launched an investigation under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, Information Technology Act and Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences.

During March 2024, accused Sheikh Muizz Ahmed, a resident of Mangalore operated through a social media platform and engaged in online chats with a minor girl from the USA.  During chats, the accused induced the minor girl to engage in sexualised chats with him, and he further induced/enticed her to share her obscene images/videos with him over the said platform. The accused also intimidated the minor victim to engage in obscene sexual activities online, agency officials said.

"Following registration of the case, the CBI conducted extensive searches at various locations in Mumbai and Mangalore linked to the accused, leading to the recovery of electronic devices which contained CSAM obtained by the accused from the minor girl victim by way of inducement. The accused Sheikh Muizz Ahmed was arrested by the CBI and has been sent to judicial custody," the official said.

The CBI had registered another case against one Mukul Saini in a similar offence. During the period 2023-2024, accused Mukul Saini, resident of Delhi, operated through a social media platform and engaged in online chats with a minor girl from the USA. During chats, the accused induced the minor girl to engage in sexualised chats with him and share her obscene images/videos with him over the said platform.

The accused also intimidated the minor victim to continue sharing her obscene images/videos, otherwise, he would make her obscene images/videos viral on the internet. Following the registration of the case, the CBI conducted extensive searches at various locations in Delhi linked to the accused, leading to the recovery of electronic devices, including mobile phones and a computer hard disk containing incriminating digital evidence relating to the case.