Fake International Call Centre Busted in Hyderabad: 115 Cyber Fraudsters Arrested
A fake international call centre operating in Hyderabad has been dismantled, leading to the arrest of 115 cyber fraudsters who swindled US citizens through elaborate schemes.
Telangana, Hyderabad: The Cyberabad Police in Hyderabad have successfully dismantled a sprawling fake international call centre that was masterminded by an interstate gang of cyber criminals. The operation led to the apprehension of 115 individuals who were involved in duping US citizens through a meticulously crafted scheme, in which they impersonated executives of a prominent e-commerce giant. The magnitude of this cybercrime is staggering, as the criminals had managed to sustain their operations for two-and-a-half years, leaving numerous victims in their wake.
Acting on credible intelligence, law enforcement agencies coordinated a series of well-executed raids to bring down the illicit call centre. Among those apprehended were 115 individuals who had been actively participating in cyber fraud. The suspects, often referred to as cyber “fraudsters,” were tele-callers who had specifically targeted US nationals using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calling technology.
The accused individuals employed a multifaceted approach to carry out their fraudulent activities. They sourced personal data and phone numbers from online portals, which then served as the foundation for their operations. The tele-callers operating from the call centre would randomly reach out to US citizens, utilizing the VoIP technology to mask their true identities.
One of the primary tactics employed by the fraudsters involved creating a sense of fear and urgency among their targets. The victims were informed that they had received parcels in their names, which allegedly contained suspicious substances. This fabricated threat was used to manipulate and pressure the victims into taking certain actions.
Under duress, the targeted US citizens were coerced into purchasing gift vouchers. Subsequently, they were instructed to provide the redeem codes from these gift cards to the call centre employees. This phase of the scam was crucial, as it allowed the fraudsters to obtain access to the funds stored in these gift cards.
The criminals’ modus operandi extended beyond merely swindling gift card funds. The fraudsters meticulously planned their exit strategy by converting the stolen gains into cryptocurrency. After obtaining the redeem codes, the fraudsters sold the gift cards at discounted rates on a separate online platform. The funds from these transactions were then converted into cryptocurrency, specifically USDT (Tether), through cryptocurrency exchange platforms.
To further distance themselves from their ill-gotten wealth, the accused individuals converted their cryptocurrency holdings into USDT. This strategic maneuver allowed them to navigate the cryptocurrency landscape with ease, as the value of USDT is pegged to the US dollar. Subsequently, the converted USDT was sold to local bitcoin vendors in exchange for Indian currency.
During the raids, the law enforcement agencies managed to seize crucial evidence that corroborated the fraudulent activities. The confiscated items included seven laptops, 115 CPUs, 94 monitors, and 120 mobile phones. A case has been registered against the accused individuals, and further investigations are currently underway to unravel the complete extent of the operation.
The busting of the fake international call centre in Hyderabad marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against cybercrime. The intricate and well-orchestrated scheme employed by the cyber fraudsters demonstrates the evolving tactics that criminals use to exploit technological advancements for their gains. The diligent efforts of the law enforcement agencies in dismantling this operation emphasize the importance of collaboration and vigilance in safeguarding individuals from falling victim to such elaborate scams.
