Mumbai Police Crackdown: Fake Call Centre Scam Exposed

Mumbai police dismantled a fake call centre in Goregaon East, arresting 13 individuals. The suspects allegedly scammed US nationals into purchasing gift cards under the guise of anti-virus software renewals. Payments were converted to cryptocurrency. Suspects face charges under Indian laws and are in police custody.

In a significant breakthrough, Mumbai police have dismantled a fake call centre operating from Goregaon East, arresting 13 individuals involved in an elaborate scam targeting U.S. nationals. Officials revealed the centre's operation focused on misleading victims into unnecessary renewals of anti-virus software on their computers.

During the raid at Vihan Commercial Complex, the crime branch apprehended the suspects on Monday night. Detailed investigations revealed that the call centre's employees sent deceptive emails to U.S. citizens, urging them to call a toll-free number for software renewals, only to manipulate them into buying costly gift cards.

The payments, ranging from $250 to $500, were later converted into cryptocurrency by the accused, including two owners and ten agents. This fraudulent enterprise had been operational for two years. The accused are booked under various Indian legal provisions and have been remanded to police custody by a local court.

(With inputs from agencies.)