Cybercriminals operating false call centre rackets have implemented a new strategy. They target citizens in the United States and Canada, luring them with $5,000 in aid to deal with the COVID pandemic, and then stealing $2,000 from them.
“The miscreants call the foreigners, ask them if they have suffered a financial setback during Covid, and provide them with instant help of $5,000,” police sources said. If the person agrees, they demand $2,000 from the victim in order to receive immediate assistance. The criminals vanish once the money is paid.
These accused also use the dark web to send messages to foreign nationals, claiming that money has been deposited in their accounts. “They generate false cellphone numbers or bogus bank websites through which they send messages,” the official explained.
These call centres are mostly located in East Ahmedabad, mostly in GIDC, and are run from small shops, cars, autorickshaws, or even two – wheelers.
Previously, scammers duped foreigners by offering payday loans or threatening to implicate them in fake drug cases. “With increased awareness, targets suspect they are being duped and contact security agencies.” As a result, criminals have created a new method of operation,” said another officer.
Many of them operate from Vatva GIDC and Narol industrial areas, where they have set up call centres in internal units, he said. Fake call centres in Mewat and Alwar also use this method to dupe Indians.