Ahmedabad | An international cyber fraud racket targeting foreign citizens has been exposed in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, where a fake call centre was allegedly being operated from a residential apartment to cheat victims abroad. During a raid at a flat in the Chandkheda area, four accused were arrested while another accomplice is currently absconding.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang primarily targeted citizens in Canada by posing as officials from the Canada Revenue Agency or representatives of banks. The callers would inform victims that their bank accounts were at risk or under investigation and would then persuade them to share sensitive personal and financial information.
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After gaining the victims’ trust, the accused allegedly instructed them to purchase gift card vouchers from various companies and share the codes over the phone. The codes were then used to siphon off money, allowing the gang to collect funds without leaving a direct financial trail.
The four arrested accused have been identified as Kush Patel, Harsh Patel, Ashu Patel and Sunil Rawat. Investigators also found that the money obtained through the alleged fraud was transferred to the bank account of another individual named Shivang, who is currently on the run. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend him.
Residential flat converted into a call centre
Investigators found that the accused had rented a flat in the Sopan Heights apartment complex on New CG Road in Ahmedabad and converted it into a makeshift call centre. From this location, they allegedly contacted foreign nationals using specialised software and internet-based calling systems.
The suspects reportedly used pre-prepared scripts during calls to make their conversations sound convincing and professional. By claiming to represent government agencies or financial institutions, they created a sense of urgency and fear among victims.
Victims were often told that suspicious activity had been detected in their bank accounts and that immediate action was required to secure their funds. Under pressure, many victims reportedly followed the instructions provided by the callers.
Gift cards used to collect money
Investigators believe the gang deliberately used gift cards as a method of collecting money because such transactions are relatively difficult to trace compared to conventional bank transfers.
Victims were asked to buy gift cards from well-known companies and share the redemption codes with the callers. Once the codes were obtained, the accused could quickly convert them into cash or transfer the value through other channels.
Cybercrime experts note that gift card scams have become increasingly common in international fraud cases, especially when criminals target victims in foreign countries through phone-based deception.
Laptops, mobile phones and cash seized
During the raid at the apartment, investigators recovered several electronic devices and materials believed to have been used in the fraud operation. Six laptops, five mobile phones, multiple calling headsets and printed scripts used for fraudulent calls were seized from the premises.
Authorities also recovered approximately ₹1.87 lakh in cash during the operation.
Digital forensic analysis of the seized devices is expected to reveal further details about the scale of the operation, including the number of victims targeted and the total amount of money allegedly siphoned off by the gang.
Possibility of a wider international network
Investigators suspect that the operation may not have been limited to Canada alone. It is possible that citizens in other countries were also targeted using similar tactics.
Call records, digital data and financial transactions recovered from the devices are now being analysed to determine the full extent of the network and identify other individuals who may have been involved.
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh says that such frauds heavily rely on “social engineering” techniques. According to him, cyber criminals first create fear or urgency in the victim’s mind and then manipulate them into revealing sensitive information or transferring money.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to locate the absconding accused Shivang and to determine whether the group was linked to a larger international cyber fraud syndicate operating across multiple cities or countries.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
