A suspected call centre operation targeting bank customers has been uncovered in Dehradun after the Uttarakhand Special Task Force (STF) and cyber crime police conducted a raid at an office on GMS Road.
According to police, callers from the centre were contacting bank customers while offering credit cards and related benefits. Investigators alleged that some callers also used pressure and threats to convince customers to deposit money quickly.
During the raid, police recovered a 32-slot DINSTAR SIM box, 45 SIM cards, a laptop, 2 routers and 2 ATM cards. Investigators said the SIM box could be used to conceal the actual identity of calls and facilitate suspicious communication activities.
The recovered laptop also contained credit card-related information linked to customers of several banks and financial institutions. The data included information associated with SBI, Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank, Poonawalla Finance, Yes Bank and RBL.
Police are investigating how the information was obtained, where it came from and how it was used to contact customers. Authorities said access to customer-related financial information could make callers claiming to represent banks or financial institutions appear more convincing.
The STF also found that calls from the centre were being made through personal mobile numbers rather than numbers from the designated 1600 series. Police said unauthorised SIM boxes were being used as part of the calling operation.
Authorities have advised customers to be particularly cautious when receiving calls from private mobile numbers from people claiming to represent banks or financial institutions.
People have been advised not to share OTPs, ATM or debit and credit card PINs, CVVs, internet banking passwords, UPI PINs or other confidential banking information with unknown callers. Customers should independently verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a bank official, card department employee or representative of a financial company.
Anyone who suspects that they have been cheated following a banking or credit card-related call should report the incident immediately through the cyber financial fraud helpline 1930 and inform the concerned bank. The relevant card or banking facility may then be blocked to limit further losses.
Customers should also preserve screenshots and other records connected with suspicious calls, including phone numbers, messages and transaction details. Such information can help investigators trace the activity.
The STF has appealed to the public to remain alert to suspicious calls made in the name of banks and financial institutions and to report suspected cyber financial fraud without delay.
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