Navi Mumbai Police Bust Fake Call Centre Targeting US Citizens

Navi Mumbai Police have busted a fake international call centre operating from Mahape MIDC, targeting US citizens through a cyber fraud scheme.

The raid, carried out on August 13, resulted in the detention of 13 people, including a manager and nine call agents.

Police seized 5,301 USDT cryptocurrency worth around Rs 5.03 lakh, 255 SIM cards, two servers, and other equipment.

The call centre, operating under the name TradeExpert Services, allegedly posed as Apple technical support representatives and bank officials to gain the confidence of US citizens.

They threatened victims with loss of money and induced them to transfer funds to cryptocurrency wallets or purchase Apple gift cards.

The accused sent fake messages to Apple users in the US, claiming $499 had been deducted from their bank accounts, and asked them to contact a given number.

When victims called the number, the calls were routed to the call centre through an app, where agents introduced themselves as Apple technical support representatives.

The team leaders, posing as bank representatives, allegedly frightened victims by claiming their money was at risk and persuaded them to transfer funds to cryptocurrency wallets.

The gang also duped victims by making them purchase 16-digit Apple gift cards.

The arrested accused have been identified, and police are investigating further.

The raid was carried out by a team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Vishal Hire and Senior Police Inspector Vishal Patil.

The action is a significant step in combating cyber fraud and protecting citizens from such scams.

The Navi Mumbai Police Cyber Cell has been actively working to curb such activities, and this bust is a major achievement in their efforts.

The incident highlights the need for citizens to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls or messages, and to verify the authenticity of the caller before taking any action.

The police are urging citizens to report any such incidents to help prevent further frauds.