Pune police have dismantled a fake call centre that allegedly defrauded American citizens of over $30,000 to $40,000 (more than Rs 25 lakh) daily through threats of “digital arrest.” Five individuals have been apprehended, and more than 120 calling agents have been detained for questioning following a raid on the facility in the Kharadi area.
Operating under the name Magnetel BPS & Consultants LLP, the illicit call centre had been active since August 2024, functioning from a floor of a multi-storey commercial building. The centre employed over 120 individuals, including a dozen women, working night shifts to align with American time zones.
Modus Operandi of fraudsters
Acting on a confidential tip-off, the crime branch of Pune police conducted a raid on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma explained the modus operandi: “The accused allegedly used to contact US nationals claiming their accounts had been misused for drug trafficking or any other fabricated crimes. They then threatened victims with arrest and coerced them into purchasing gift cards, which were later used by the accused for personal gains.”
The fraudsters primarily targeted senior citizens and retired persons. In a “digital arrest” scam, impersonators posing as law enforcement officials use threats of immediate arrest, frozen bank accounts, and passport cancellations to strong-arm victims into paying a “fine” or “security deposit” to avoid supposed legal action.
Arrests and evidence cease
During the raid, police seized 64 laptops and 41 mobile phones. Many of the laptops were found to contain suspicious applications, VPN software, and vast databases of contact numbers belonging to thousands of US citizens. An official added, “The accused and their agents allegedly used caller masking software to impersonate government officials. We have also recovered scripts that the agents were given to trap American citizens.”
The arrested individuals have been identified as Sarjeetsingh Girawat Singh Shekhawat from Rajasthan, and Gujarat residents Abhishek Ajaykumar Pandey, Shrimay Paresh Shah, Laxman Amarsingh Shekhawat, and Aaron Aruman Christian. Police also stated that the calling agents were paid approximately Rs 25,000 per month. Their backgrounds are being verified, and cases will be registered against them.
Three more suspects involved in the operation are currently at large, and dedicated teams have been formed to apprehend them.
(With PTI Inputs)