New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has dismantled an international tech-support fraud and extortion syndicate that allegedly targeted citizens in the United States through fake call centres operating in Punjab and Delhi. Four accused, including the alleged kingpin, have been arrested following coordinated raids at 10 locations.
According to the CBI, the racket impersonated representatives of Microsoft, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies to deceive victims. The fraudsters allegedly used fake pop-up messages displaying counterfeit Microsoft toll-free numbers that directed victims to fraudulent call centres.
Investigators said the accused convinced victims that their computers had been compromised and demanded money under the pretext of repairing their systems.
In several cases, victims were falsely accused of serious offences, including possession of illegal content, and were coerced into making cryptocurrency ransom payments through Bitcoin ATMs.
The CBI said the proceeds of crime were routed through multiple cryptocurrency wallets before being laundered by operators based in Delhi.
Searches were conducted during the intervening night of August 5 and 6 at premises across Punjab and Delhi, including a fake call centre allegedly operating from the main accused's premises in Mohali.
During the operation, investigators seized more than 20 mobile phones, 15 laptops and tablets, multiple hard disks, pen drives, memory cards, a large amount of cash, incriminating documents and cryptocurrency wallets.
The agency said the kingpin and three of his associates have been arrested, while further investigation is underway to identify the full extent of the network and trace the money trail.
The CBI also highlighted two cases involving US victims. In one case, a Florida resident was allegedly duped into depositing nearly USD 440,000 into a Bitcoin ATM in 2022 after fraudsters falsely claimed her personal information had been compromised and illegal material had been planted on her computer.
In another case in 2023, a New Jersey resident was allegedly tricked into believing her computer and banking details had been compromised, resulting in deposits of around USD 130,000 into Bitcoin ATMs.
The crackdown is part of the CBI's ongoing efforts to dismantle transnational cybercrime networks involved in online fraud, extortion and cryptocurrency-based money laundering.
#CBI #CyberCrime #TechSupportScam #CryptoFraud
