Pune, Oct. 2025 — In a decisive cybercrime crackdown, the Pune Police Crime Branch has dismantled a large-scale fraudulent call centre in Hadapsar that targeted American citizens with fake technical support services. The operation led to the arrest of 29 individuals and the seizure of laptops, desktops, phones, and other equipment used to carry out the international scam.
Fake Tech Support Calls Expose Victims
Investigators revealed that the call centre’s operators posed as legitimate technical support providers, cold-calling U.S. citizens and falsely claiming their mobile devices had urgent technical problems. To “fix” the fabricated issues, victims were pressured into sharing confidential banking details, including account numbers and debit card credentials. These sensitive details were then exploited for illicit financial gains, with losses potentially running into significant amounts.
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Surprise Raid and Seizure of Equipment
The Crime Branch’s Unit Five received intelligence inputs about the call centre’s illegal activities and swiftly launched a raid on the commercial complex where it was concealed. The surprise operation left the fraudsters unprepared. Police confiscated 29 laptops, 20 desktop computers, 41 mobile phones, multiple routers, and other essential tools of the fraudulent trade.
Senior officers, including Additional Police Commissioner Pankaj Deshmukh and Assistant Commissioner Rajendra Mulik, supervised the raid. The ground team — led by Inspector Sanjay Patange and supported by Assistant Inspector Amol Rasal and other officers — executed the crackdown with precision.
Key Arrests and Ongoing Interrogation
Among those detained were operators identified as Nirmal Shah, Atul Shrimali, and Yugandhar Hadge, along with 26 other staff members linked to the operation. Police officials confirmed that the accused are being interrogated to trace the full scope of the scam and uncover potential accomplices.
The Crime Branch is also coordinating with American authorities to calculate the total financial damage caused by the fraud, which specifically preyed on U.S. citizens unfamiliar with such scams.
Broader Impact and Warnings Issued
According to cybercrime experts, scams of this nature rely on creating fear and urgency, tricking victims into acting quickly without verification. Pune Police have urged the public to be cautious of unsolicited calls demanding banking or personal details under the pretext of technical support.
A senior official noted: “These frauds are highly organized and exploit trust. The Hadapsar bust is part of our ongoing effort to disrupt such rackets and strengthen international cooperation in fighting cyber-enabled financial crimes.”
Growing Focus on Cross-Border Cybercrime
The Hadapsar operation highlights Pune Police’s increasing focus on dismantling global cyber fraud networks. With cybercrime units working alongside international agencies, authorities believe this crackdown will deter similar scams and send a strong message to fraudulent operators exploiting digital vulnerabilities across borders.
