Cyber Crime
Fake Call Centre Cheating US Citizens Busted In Mumbai, Role Of Hawala Operators Under Scanner
MUMBAI: Vanrai police in Goregaon (East) recently raided a call-center which was allegedly being operated by fraudsters who impersonated personnel from the “Federal Reserve System (FRS)” services and duped US citizens into transferring money from their bank accounts using gift cards. While two suspects have been arrested, at least three more are wanted in connection with the case.
According to the police, the gang had been active for around two months. Cops seized Rs 26 lakh in cash. Police are also probing hawala transactions and the role of local angadias who were working with the gang.
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Members of the gang would imitate FRS officers and inform them that their Social Security Number was being scanned and that they were being watched. They would otherwise inform them that their Amazon account has been blocked and guide them on how to unblock it.
Data of US residents were handed to the scammers by other unidentified criminals. The fraudster sent messages to up to 10,000 US citizens, providing them with a phone number to call back for resolution of their grievance.
Those that called back were forced to purchase gift cards and were required to share the code numbers on the cards. These codes were then utilised to make a cash withdrawal.
The accused also used automated software that provided audio instructions to the victims.
The call centre was handled by 10 to 12 workers from a small store in Goregaon’s Vitbhatti neighbourhood (east). Based on a tip, Vanrai police conducted a raid on August 28 and apprehended two of the accused.
They were charged with defrauding and impersonation under sections 419, 420 of the IPC, 66C and 66D of the IT Act, and section 25 of the Indian Telegraph Act. The accused were produced before a magistrate court and placed in police custody until September 5.
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