The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations unit of the Delhi Police has busted an international fake call center in northwest Delhi that allegedly cheated American citizens of over Rs 100 crore through technical support scams and threats of action by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Acting on intelligence, police teams raided a commercial premises in Shivaji Market at Pitampura village on September 21, arresting 11 individuals, including two women. Officers seized Rs 41 lakh in unaccounted cash alongside dozens of desktop computers, mobile handsets, and digital networking hardware used to run the illicit cross-border operation.
Arrests and Network Structure
The arrested individuals have been identified as Kanwal from Janakpuri, Prashant from Ashram, Chitra and Navneet from Pitampura, Rohan from Uttam Nagar, Sachin from Burari, Gaurav Saklani from Dehradun, Akshat from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Irshad and Nigthoujam from Assam, and Febo from Arunachal Pradesh. Police stated that the syndicate functioned as an organized hierarchy where members handled distinct technical and communication responsibilities. The suspects operated from India while exclusively engaging overseas victims under the guise of specialized technical support and regulatory enforcement. Investigators are currently interrogating the group to trace backward linkages, uncover mastermind handlers, and establish foreign connections associated with the broader criminal syndicate.
Modus Operandi and Digital Infiltration
The fraudulent operation followed a systematic, multi-tiered approach designed to trap unsuspecting computer users. The syndicate first introduced malicious software into targeted systems, causing intrusive pop-up security warnings to freeze screens and display fabricated alerts regarding severe system vulnerabilities. These prompts directed panicked users to call a toll-free assistance helpline. Inbound calls were systematically routed directly to the Pitampura facility through MicroSIP software applications. Tele-callers stationed at the center adopted Western pseudonyms, including Williams, Ryan, Sophie, and Jenny, to project an authentic persona. Posing as certified engineers, they persuaded callers to download remote desktop utilities such as UltraViewer, effectively granting the syndicate full control over personal machines.
Coercion Tactics and Financial Recovery
Once remote system access was secured, the operators escalated the psychological pressure by masquerading as banking representatives or FBI field agents. Victims were informed that their devices and bank accounts had been compromised by illegal activities, warning that non-compliance would trigger asset freezes or immediate prosecution. To settle the fabricated violations or clean their systems, victims were coerced into transferring money through Google Pay and Target gift cards, as well as cryptocurrency channels including Bitcoin. Forensic specialists are currently analyzing seized hard drives and mobile phones to map communication trails, examine victim databases, and determine whether similar operations targeted nationals beyond the United States.
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