Indian authorities have unveiled a fraudulent call center connected to international scams. The fraudsters’ schemes were exposed during operations conducted in Gurugram and New Delhi.
Uncovering the Scam Scheme
According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), scammers cheated residents of the United States and other countries out of over ₹130 crore (approximately $15 million) in the past two years. The group was apprehended during an operation at seven call centers in the Gurugram and New Delhi areas.
Methods of the Criminals
The scammers posed as technical support personnel, gaining access to victims' bank accounts and transferring funds to multiple foreign accounts. The criminals maintained over 200 bank accounts dedicated to money laundering, and also used digital assets to obscure their tracks, allowing them to sell these assets via peer-to-peer transactions.
Context of the Criminal Case
The investigation started after a report was filed with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which alerted about the activities of the criminal group. The accused, claiming to be technical support staff, scammed their victims between November 2022 and April 2024.
Fraud through call centers continues to pose a significant problem, and the efforts of Indian authorities to combat such schemes may help reduce the number of victims. During ongoing investigations, documents and assets linked to the illegal activities have been seized.
