CBI busts child sexual abuse networks as part of Op Hawk

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.

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"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."