PORVORIM
Saligao police have busted a fake call centre operating from a villa at Verem and arrested nine persons accused of cheating US citizens of lakhs of rupees.
Acting on reliable information, a police team raided the premises and detained individuals from several states allegedly involved in the racket.
The arrested persons identified as Sandipkumar Vijabhai Priyadarshi (Ahmedabad), Akash Shahu Kale (Kandivali, Mumbai), Kavish Tharivala (Ahmedabad), Akshay Uday Kumar Nair (Kalyan), Hiren Shashikant Bhayani (Malad, Mumbai), Ajay Das (Kolkata), Tanmay Sham Pawar (Kandivali, Mumbai), Vikiho Yevise Shohe (Dimapur) and Lhosheto Yeshito Rochil (Dimapur).
Police said the group operated a coordinated fake call centre, recruiting staff to obtain personal data of US citizens through illegal means. Using laptops and private networks, they impersonated officials of a US bank and contacted victims.
They allegedly convinced victims to take loans or purchase software assistance, and instructed them to transfer funds via electronic payment methods, particularly gift cards converted into digital currency.
The money was then withdrawn in India, causing financial loss to victims in the United States.
An offence has been registered under Sections 319, 318(4) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act. Further investigation is in progress under Police Inspector Dinesh Gadekar of Saligao Police Station.
