Mumbai Police Busted Fake Call Center, Arrest 13 for Defrauding US Citizens
Mumbai Police have conducted a significant raid on a fake call center in Goregaon, resulting in the arrest of 13 individuals. The operation, carried out by Unit 12 of the Mumbai Crime Branch, aimed to dismantle a sophisticated scam targeting US citizens. The call center was found to be operating from the seventh floor of a commercial complex in Goregaon East.
According to police, the call center was involved in defrauding US citizens by impersonating representatives of antivirus companies. The scam involved sending emails to US citizens, claiming that their antivirus software, such as 'Greeksquad' and McAfee, needed renewal. These emails included toll-free numbers. When US citizens called, they were instructed to purchase gift cards worth between 250–500 US dollars. The individuals working at the call center would then convert these gift cards into cryptocurrency, thereby cheating the callers.
Acting on a tip-off, the Mumbai Crime Branch team raided the premises on September 15. Upon arrival, they found the call center to be operational. During the search, officials examined phones and computers on-site, confirming the alleged fraudulent activity.
The police seized 15 computers, 10 laptops, and 20 mobile phones. Among those arrested were two owners or operators, one manager, and 10 telecaller agents. A case has been registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, along with sections of the Information Technology Act and the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
The entire operation was led under the guidance of senior police officials, including Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Additional Commissioner (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam, and Deputy Commissioners of the Crime Branch. The team that conducted the operation was headed by Inspector Sachin Gawas and other officials, including Balasaheb Raut, Vijay Raskar, Ajay Sawant, Altaf Khan, Sunil Chavan, Balakrishna Limhana, and other crime branch officials.
The accused will be produced before a court for police custody, and further investigations will follow. This operation is a significant step towards curbing cyber crimes and protecting citizens from fraudulent activities.
The Mumbai Police have been proactive in addressing such crimes, ensuring the safety and security of both local and international victims. The raid and subsequent arrests send a strong message to potential fraudsters that such activities will not be tolerated and will be met with swift and decisive action.
