Lucknow Police busts US-targeting fraud call centre, seven arrested
Police in Lucknow have busted an alleged fraud call centre that was targeting people in the United States and arrested seven people. A large number
Police in Lucknow have busted an alleged fraud call centre that was targeting people in the United States and arrested seven people. A large number of electronic devices were seized in the operation, which was carried out under 'Operation Cy-Vajra', a statewide campaign against cyber crime. The alleged call centre was being run from an apartment in the Omaxe R-2 Residential Complex in Gomti Nagar Extension, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Anil Yadav said on Friday. Read Full Story The action came weeks after the Crime Branch raided another call centre in the Summit Building in Gomti Nagar on July 1 and arrested 119 people in one of its biggest crackdowns on cyber criminals.
Yadav said, "The accused were running an organised international cyber fraud racket using internet-based calling platforms and other technological tools to target foreign nationals, particularly citizens of the United States." He said a case had been registered against the seven accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. According to police, the group allegedly used Voice over Internet Protocol calling systems, specialised calling software, laptops, iPhones and high-speed internet to contact victims. Investigators said the accused would first infect computers with malware that generated pop-up messages carrying toll-free numbers. When victims called those numbers, the callers allegedly posed as Microsoft technical support staff and cybersecurity professionals.
Yadav said, "They would falsely claim that the victim's bank account, digital wallet or identity had been compromised. Once the victim was frightened, the call was escalated to another member of the gang posing as an official of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), who threatened legal action or arrest unless the victim followed their instructions." He added that the gang allegedly sent forged documents made to look like official records, including fake FTC letters, identity theft reports, investigation reports and non-disclosure agreements. Police said the accused also took remote access of victims' computers through software such as TeamViewer and UltraViewer before obtaining their financial details. Victims were then allegedly persuaded to buy Amazon and Walmart gift cards, while those asked for larger amounts were allegedly made to send cash or gold through courier services to addresses in the US.
During the raid, police seized eight laptops, nine mobile phones, nine headsets, four Wi-Fi routers, two computer mice, laptop chargers and other digital evidence. Yadav said the electronic devices and other material were being examined forensically to identify other members of the network, the financial beneficiaries and any interstate or international links, as the investigation continues into the alleged racket targeting US citizens from Lucknow. Ends
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