In a major crackdown on cyber fraud, the Goa Police arrested 26 individuals and seized electronic gadgets worth Rs 55 lakh during a raid on an illegal call centre operating from a rented premise at Verna Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) on Thursday.
Modus Operandi
According to Police Inspector Anand Shirodkar, the call centre employees were involved in cheating several US citizens by impersonation. The accused posed as US bank officials and induced victims to make payments through gift cards. They used VPN calling and spoofing technology to contact US citizens, making it appear as if the calls were from legitimate bank numbers.
Arrests and Seizures
The arrested individuals hailed from various states including Nagaland, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. They were residing in rented flats at Ocean View Apartment in Sancoale. During the raid, police seized 145 laptops, 45 mobile phones, routers, headphones, and other electronic accessories used in the commission of the offence.
Legal Action
The accused have been booked under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act. They have been remanded to two days of police custody for further investigation. PI Shirodkar stated that efforts are underway to identify other individuals involved in the fraud network.
Broader Implications
This operation highlights the growing menace of cyber fraud targeting foreign nationals from Indian call centres. The use of advanced technology like VPNs and spoofing makes detection challenging. Authorities are working to dismantle such illegal operations and bring perpetrators to justice.
