The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has dismantled a major international tech support fraud and cyber extortion syndicate that primarily targeted citizens of the United States, arresting four accused, including the alleged mastermind. The agency carried out coordinated raids at 10 locations across Punjab and Delhi during the intervening night of August 5 and 6, exposing a fake call centre operating from the premises of the prime accused in Mohali. During the searches, investigators seized a large quantity of electronic devices, digital storage media, cash, and information related to cryptocurrency wallets.
The arrested accused have been identified as Sourabh Rana, Indermohan Singh, Harneet Singh, and Jappandeep Singh. According to the CBI, Sourabh Rana is the alleged mastermind behind the operation, while the other accused assisted in running the fraudulent call centres and handling financial transactions. The agency is now examining the syndicate’s digital infrastructure, overseas connections, and financial trail.
According to investigators, the organised syndicate primarily targeted US nationals by impersonating representatives of Microsoft, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies. The fraudsters displayed fake warning pop-ups on victims’ computer screens containing counterfeit Microsoft toll-free numbers. When victims called these numbers, they were directly connected to fraudulent call centres operated by the accused.
The CBI said the call centre operators falsely claimed that victims’ computers had developed serious technical problems or had been compromised in cyberattacks. Under the pretext of providing technical support and repairing the systems, they allegedly persuaded victims to transfer substantial sums of money. In several cases, the accused also impersonated law enforcement officials, threatening victims with arrest and legal action to coerce them into making payments.
The investigation has uncovered multiple instances of large-scale fraud involving foreign victims. In one case from 2022, a woman from Florida was allegedly told that illegal material had been planted on her computer and that both her personal and financial information had been compromised. Exploiting her fear, the accused allegedly coerced her into depositing US$440,000 through Bitcoin ATMs. Investigators found that the funds were transferred to a designated cryptocurrency wallet before being routed to accounts controlled by the accused.
In another incident reported in 2023, a resident of New Jersey was falsely informed that cybercriminals had gained access to her banking information. She was allegedly convinced to deposit approximately US$130,000 through Bitcoin ATMs. According to the CBI, the proceeds were transferred through multiple cryptocurrency wallets and subsequently laundered by operators based in Delhi to conceal their origin.
The electronic devices, computers, storage media, documents, and cryptocurrency-related evidence seized during the raids are currently undergoing detailed forensic examination. Investigators believe the material will help establish the full extent of the international network, identify additional foreign victims, determine the total amount defrauded, and trace other individuals associated with the syndicate.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said tech support fraud has become one of the fastest-growing forms of cybercrime globally, with criminals relying heavily on social engineering and fear tactics. He advised users never to call phone numbers displayed in unsolicited pop-ups, emails, or warning messages. Instead, they should contact companies only through their official websites or authorised customer support channels. He further cautioned that anyone claiming to represent Microsoft, a bank, or a government agency and demanding immediate payment, remote access to a computer, or cryptocurrency transfers should be treated as suspicious, and the incident should be reported immediately to cybercrime authorities.
The CBI said the investigation is continuing, and further arrests and legal action may follow based on the forensic analysis of the seized digital evidence and financial records.
