Raid uncovers cyber fraud racket targeting US citizens
VASCO
In a major crackdown on cyber fraud, Verna police busted an illegal call centre allegedly involved in cheating US citizens and arrested 26 people during an early morning raid at the Verna Industrial Estate on Thursday.
Police said the accused were operating from a rented premises and allegedly posed as officials of US banks to trick foreign nationals into transferring money through fraudulent schemes. The raid was conducted between 3 am and 6.15 am by a team from Verna Police Station led by PI Anand L. Shirodkar. According to police, the accused used VPN-based calling systems and spoofing technology to contact US citizens while concealing their identities. Victims were allegedly persuaded to make payments through gift cards on various false pretexts.
During the operation, police seized 145 laptops, 45 mobile phones, routers, headsets and other electronic devices suspected to have been used in the fraud. The seized items are valued at around Rs 55 lakh.
The arrested persons are from several states, including Nagaland, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Police said they were staying in rented flats at Sancoale while operating the call centre from Verna.
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The operation was monitored by Vasco SDPO Gurudas Kadam under the supervision of South Goa SP Santosh Dessai.
All 26 accused were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class Court in Vasco and remanded to two days of police custody. Police are continuing investigations and carrying out forensic analysis of the seized devices to identify others linked to the racket.
