Panaji: Goa has emerged as a preferred location for setting up fake call centres that defraud unsuspecting people. Fake call centres are being operated from commercial complexes, bungalows, and residential buildings across Goa, where many properties remain vacant. Over the past month alone, Goa police have raided around four fake call centres operating in the state.
Police Analysis and Modus Operandi
According to police analysis, the accused deliberately choose isolated locations with little public movement so that their operations remain unnoticed and suspicious activity is less likely to be reported. Police said these fake call centres typically operate between 8pm and 8am to align with US time zones. They have been involved in cheating American citizens through schemes such as fraudulent loan approvals, medical billing advances, and other scams.
Previous Crackdowns and Arrests
Last year, Goa police busted more than 25 fake call centres and arrested around 100 youths from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Nagaland, and Manipur. Most of those arrested were between 25 and 30 years old. Police said that many of the individuals running these call centres are from Gujarat.
DGP's Directives
DGP Alok Kumar told TOI that he has directed local police stations, the crime branch, and the cybercrime cell to develop intelligence on fake call centres operating in the state and take swift action against them. “The message is loud and clear-- not a single fake call centre should operate in the state. In the last two months, Goa police have taken significant action and arrested several people in connection with fake call centres,” Kumar said.
He added that while fake call centres operate across the country, many youths prefer to work in Goa because they are attracted to its nightlife and lifestyle. Once recruited, they are trained before being allowed to interact with customers. “There is a standard script provided during training, along with all the necessary information required to handle customer queries,” the officer said.
Financial Incentives and Operations
According to police, the owners of fake call centres have tie-ups with agencies abroad that divert calls to Goa. “The local operators pay more than Rs 4,000 to the person who diverts each call,” an officer said. “All day, the youths roam around and enjoy themselves, and in the evenings they work at the fake call centres. The salary ranges from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 a month, but they also receive incentives based on the number of victims who transfer money to the handlers,” the officer said.
The senior officer added that if a youth succeeds in pulling off a major fraud—such as cheating a victim out of Rs 1 crore—he or she can earn an incentive of up to Rs 1 lakh.
Justifications by Accused
During investigations, officers uncovered an interesting trend: some accused attempted to justify their actions by claiming that they were not targeting Indians but rather people from countries that had historically exploited India. “The accused defended the crime by saying they were not looting Indians but were instead looting people who had looted India over a period of time,” the officer said.
