Gorakhpur | A major international cyber fraud operation has been unearthed in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, where police have busted a fake call centre allegedly involved in cheating around 1,400 foreign nationals of crores of rupees. Six members of the organised gang, including one woman, have been arrested following a raid in the Chiluatal police station area, exposing a well-planned operation that targeted victims across multiple countries.
According to investigators, the gang had been operating a fraudulent call centre from a three-storey residential building in the Karimganj area for the past six months. The setup functioned primarily during night hours, from around 7 pm to 4 am, to align with working hours in Western countries. From this location, the accused allegedly placed deceptive calls to citizens in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Lebanon.
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During the raid, police recovered a large cache of electronic equipment and documents used in the scam. The seized items included 28 laptops, 37 headsets, two internet routers, multiple mobile phones, call scripts, email databases and other digital records. These materials are believed to contain detailed information about victims and the methods used to extract money from them.
Investigators revealed that the accused posed as representatives of legitimate foreign institutions and used fake American identities such as “John” and “George Lewis” to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims. Callers were lured with promises of health insurance benefits, tax refunds or access to government-backed schemes. Once a victim showed interest, the call was transferred to a senior handler who guided the conversation towards financial transactions.
Under the guise of completing banking formalities or processing fees, victims were persuaded to transfer large sums of money. Police said the gang followed scripted conversations designed to sound professional and authoritative, reducing suspicion among targets. Digital payment channels and online transfers were allegedly used to siphon off the funds.
The arrested accused are residents of different parts of the country, including West Bengal’s Kolkata and Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, Balrampur and Gorakhpur. Officials believe the geographic diversity of the group helped them avoid detection and manage different aspects of the operation, from calling and data handling to fund movement.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the network may have international links, and police are now analysing digital data to identify overseas handlers or beneficiaries. Cyber experts are also examining whether the same infrastructure was used for other frauds reported in different regions.
Police officials said that the investigation is ongoing and efforts are underway to trace additional members connected to the racket. Raids are being conducted at multiple locations, and suspects are being tracked using technical surveillance. Authorities are also coordinating with cybercrime units to assess the total financial loss caused by the gang.
The case has once again highlighted the growing threat of organised cyber fraud operating from within residential neighbourhoods under the guise of legitimate businesses. Residents of the area expressed shock over the discovery, stating that the building appeared to be an ordinary residence and had not drawn attention.
Law enforcement agencies have urged the public, especially foreign nationals, to remain cautious of unsolicited calls offering financial benefits or urgent refunds. Officials stressed that genuine government agencies and insurance providers do not demand payments over phone calls or seek sensitive banking details through unsolicited communication.
As the probe progresses, more arrests are expected, and investigators hope to dismantle the entire network involved in the international fraud operation. The seized digital evidence is expected to play a crucial role in uncovering the full scale of the scam and bringing all those involved to justice.
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.
