Fake call centre targeting US citizens busted in Mumbai, nine held

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has busted two fake call centres in Andheri (East) and arrested nine people for allegedly cheating American citizens by posing as officials of a major online shopping company and the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Police said they received intelligence on December 9 about the centres operating out of two buildings in JB Nagar. The accused were allegedly using VoIP systems and online calling tools to access and misuse personal data of foreign nationals without consent.

According to investigators, the callers used scripted conversations and fake identities to scare victims, claiming their bank accounts or packages were under investigation. They then pressured victims into paying supposed penalties to avoid legal action.

Crime Branch teams conducted raids at both locations and seized 11 laptops, 11 headphones, 18 mobile phones, network equipment and documents linked to the operation. The seized items are valued at around Rs 4.72 lakh.

A case has been filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the Information Technology Act 2000, and the Telecommunications Act 2023. Police said all nine accused have been arrested and further probe is in progress.

(with inputs from agencies)