The police in Andhra Pradesh have dismantled a suspected international cyber fraud ring based in Achyutapuram, resulting in the arrest of 33 individuals and the confiscation of advanced technological equipment along with Rs 3 lakh in cash.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vishnu Swaroop from Anakapalli district conducted coordinated raids at three key sites on Thursday, prompted by a complaint from a Village Revenue Officer and intelligence reports. The authorities seized various items, including computers, networking devices, and high-end furnishings.
According to Police, this operation was a fully operational call center that targeted citizens in the United States (US) through impersonation and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) scams, disguising themselves as Amazon support.
Police reports indicate that job seekers were recruited via online platforms, trained in impersonation methods, and subsequently assigned to make scam calls aimed at extracting sensitive financial data from US citizens.
The recruits, primarily from Assam and northeastern India, were provided with food and lodging. They underwent a week of training, after which they began making calls the following week, Police noted.
The scam was structured in four layers, with dialers posing as Amazon support, American bank representatives, and managers who deceived unsuspecting American citizens with offers of ‘gift card redemptions’ and other schemes.
There is a suspected fifth layer involved, which manages the final laundering process through virtual private networks (VPNs) and fake phone numbers. Their identities and locations remain unknown, Swaroop stated.
Gift cards served as the main tools. Victims were directed to purchase them and share the codes, which managers then redeemed and sent to unknown higher-level handlers through international channels.
Two masterminds, Punit Goswami from Maharashtra and Avihant Daga from Rajasthan, have been apprehended. Others are currently being questioned to uncover the entire syndicate hierarchy.
Each closure agent dealt with several victims on a daily basis. The police suspect that over Rs 600 crore may have been fraudulently obtained, although precise figures are still being investigated.
Most first-level recruits only lasted one or two months. In contrast, those in closure and management positions stayed for 8 to 12 months, suggesting a greater level of knowledge and involvement.
Approximately 60 to 70 percent of those apprehended are novices. However, operatives in the third and fourth layers are seasoned, and the operation continues to run daily, he stated.
The scam resulted in significant losses for US citizens, tarnishing India’s reputation, according to the official, who added that the operation employed advanced technology, false identities, and concealed communication through spoofed VoIP.
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