The Delhi Police Cyber Crime Task Force has arrested 54 people at an illegal call center in connection with a scam targeting foreign nationals in the capital city, the BBC reported Thursday.
Based on reports, the fraudulent call center has allegedly defrauded over 4,500 people in the U.S. and other countries. The callers, who disguise themselves as law enforcement agents, operate from a place in Moti Nagar, telling unsuspecting people to transfer money in the form of cryptocurrency and electronic gift cards.
"They would inform the targeted individuals that their bank accounts and other assets are being seized as their details were linked in a crime activity," Anyesh Roy, Delhi deputy police commissioner, told the Hindustan Times.
The victims were told that the only way to protect their investments is to purchase bitcoins or gift cards and transfer them to electronic wallets in India. Once the transaction is completed, the virtual money and cards are converted to cash, police said.
The suspects threatened their victims of arrest and legal action if they didn't pay up, Delhi authorities said. The syndicate has reportedly made more than $14 million in total.
Initial investigation showed that the underground call center is being run from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Delhi Police Cybercrime Division said it has busted over 25 fake call centers so far this year. Further investigation is underway.
In November, Delhi police raided a bogus call center in Rajouri Garden and nabbed 17 persons accused of duping foreigners by posing as technical support providers. The fraud involved sending messages to people that their devices have been infected with a virus and for them to be fixed, they need to pay a certain amount.
