India Strikes Back Against Online Child Sexual Exploitation
Two Individuals Detained for Coercing Minors in the U.S. to Disseminate Explicit Images: CBI Investigation
In a bold move to combat cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recently brought two offenders to justice, as part of Operation Hawk. This international initiative aims to dismantle networks engaging in child sexual exploitation, primarily targeting foreign victims. Here's a closer look at the apprehended individuals and their alleged wrongdoings:
Sheikh Muizz Ahmed
- Hometown: Mangaluru, Karnataka
- Accusations: Faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Information Technology Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. These allegations include intimidation (under 506 IPC), child sexual exploitation, and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
- Tactics: On Discord, adopted the pseudonym "heisenberg7343" and initiated sexually explicit conversations with a minor from the US. He pressured the girl into sharing explicit content and forced her into online sexual acts.
- Arrest: Following raids in Mumbai and Mangaluru, CBI discovered CSAM on his digital devices, leading to his arrest.
Mukul Saini
- Residence: Delhi
- Charges: Similar to those brought against Sheikh Muizz Ahmed
- Strategy: Adopted several Discord IDs (such as "Izumi#9412", "Izumi#7070", "Deadddd#6873", and "Arisu") to engage another US minor in sexually explicit conversations in 2023-24. He pressured her into sharing explicit content and forced her into online sexual acts.
Operation Hawk
- Collaborative Effort: Initiated in January 2024 in response to information provided by US agencies
- Goal: Disrupt cross-border cybercrime exploitation networks
- Achievements: Both individuals were apprehended following CBI raids and identification of CSAM on their devices. They currently reside in judicial custody.
- Continuing Crusade: Part of CBI's ongoing mission to combat global online child abuse, with previous efforts including Operation Megh Chakra (2022) and Operation Carbon (2021).
(Sources: [1] NDTV, [2] Hindustan Times, [3] The Times of India, [4] Zee News, [5] PTI)
(This story has not been edited by our staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently apprehended Sheikh Muizz Ahmed as part of Operation Hawk, an international initiative aiming to dismantle networks engaged in child sexual exploitation.
- Shedding light on his alleged wrongdoings, Ahmed, a native of Mangaluru, Karnataka, is accused under various Indian laws, including the IPC, IT Act, and POCSO Act, for his role in child sexual exploitation and possession of child sexual abuse material.
- On Discord, Ahmed, using the pseudonym "heisenberg7343," engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a minor from the US and pressured her to share explicit content and participate in online sexual acts.
- Modern science aided the CBI in their investigation, as they discovered child sexual abuse material on Ahmed's digital devices during raids in Mumbai and Mangaluru, leading to his arrest.
- In a separate incident, Mukul Saini from Delhi faces similar charges for engaging in similar activities on Discord with another US minor, using IDs such as "Izumi#9412," "Izumi#7070," "Deadddd#6873," and "Arisu."
