Panjim: Goa police on Monday busted an alleged international fake call centre racket operating in the state and arrested 24 people. The accused are from Delhi, Noida, J&K, Punjab, and Maharashtra, and their educational qualifications include BBA, hotel management, engineering, and some have completed Class XII.

 

The fake call centre was operated at a private villa, and police seized 26 laptops, 24 headphones, eight internet routers, and 26 mobile phones. The police said this is the highest number of people arrested for running a fake call centre in Goa. DGP Alok Kumar said the fake call centre was duping US nationals. SP crime branch Rahul Gupta said that they received a tip-off that a fake call centre was being operated in Zuarinagar, Mormugão.

 

“The accused, working with a common intent, impersonated loan company agents, staff from Amazon headquarters, bank employees, Paypal, IOS, Zell Pay, Apple Pay, govt agencies, law enforcement officers, etc. They induced unsuspecting US citizens to pay large sums in the form of gift cards, bitcoins, and other means under false pretexts, including loan assistance, purchase payments, and technical support,” Gupta said, adding, “A 38-year-old New Delhi resident, Mayank Kaushik, is the mastermind in the case.”

 

“This call centre has been operational since last month, during which it is estimated to have perpetrated fraud amounting to over Rs 1 crore. The employees were recruited via an online agency and trained extensively in specific scripts to be used during the calls,” Gupta said. “Their monthly salaries ranged between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000,” Gupta said. “All accused are currently in police custody. Investigation is under way to identify interstate and international connections.” Kumar said that the accused criminals cheat victims on two emotions—fear and greed.