Fake Call Centres in Punjab, Delhi Targeted US Citizens; Crypto Wallets, Cash, Laptops, Mobiles Seized During Multi-Location Raids
New Delhi, Aug 7: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted a sophisticated international tech-support fraud and extortion racket operating through fake call centres and offices across Punjab and Delhi, arresting four accused, including the alleged kingpin, following coordinated raids at 10 locations.
According to an official CBI press release, the accused allegedly targeted citizens of the United States by posing as representatives of Microsoft, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies. The syndicate reportedly used fake pop-up messages on victims’ computer screens displaying counterfeit Microsoft toll-free numbers, which connected them directly to fraudulent call centres.
The investigation revealed that the fraudsters deceived victims into transferring money on the pretext of repairing compromised computer systems. In several cases, the accused falsely claimed that illegal material, including child pornography, had been found on the victims’ computers, coercing them into making cryptocurrency ransom payments through Bitcoin ATMs.
The CBI said the defrauded cryptocurrency was routed through multiple crypto wallets before being transferred out of the United States and later laundered through operators based in Delhi.
The agency conducted extensive searches during the intervening night of August 5 and 6 at 10 locations across Punjab and Delhi, including a fake call centre operating from the premises of the alleged kingpin in Mohali, Punjab.
During the raids, investigators seized over 20 mobile phones, 15 laptops and tablets, multiple hard disks, pen drives, memory cards, a huge amount of cash, incriminating documents and crypto wallets. The alleged kingpin and three of his associates were arrested in connection with the case.
The CBI also highlighted two major instances of fraud uncovered during the investigation. In one case, a Florida resident was allegedly duped in 2022 into depositing nearly USD 4,40,000 through multiple Bitcoin ATM transactions after being falsely informed that her personal and financial information had been compromised and illegal content had been planted on her computer.
In another case, a resident of New Jersey was similarly deceived in 2023 through fake tech-support claims and coerced into depositing approximately USD 1,30,000 into Bitcoin ATMs after being misled into believing that her banking details had been compromised.
The CBI said further investigation into the international cyber fraud network is underway to identify additional conspirators and trace the proceeds of crime.(KNC)
