New Delhi: Delhi Police’s Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit has busted a sophisticated cyber-fraud racket targeting US citizens on the pretext of providing technical support and arrested 11 people, including two women.Police alleged that the syndicate duped victims of around Rs 100 crore from a call centre operating out of rented premises in northwest Delhi’s Pitampura.Acting on a tip-off received on Sept 21, IFSO teams raided the premises in Shivaji Market and uncovered a high-tech call centre functioning from two floors. An FIR was registered under provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.According to police, the accused targeted US-based victims by remotely installing malware on their computers, triggering pop-up messages directing them to call a toll-free number for assistance. Calls were then routed to the Pitampura call centre, where trained operators allegedly convinced victims that their devices had been compromised.“The fraudsters then induced victims to install software that enabled remote access to their computers. Victims were further made to believe that their bank accounts had also been compromised, following which the calls were routed to fake bank officials,” additional CP Sanjay Bhatia said.Police said the victims were allegedly persuaded to buy gift cards or transfer cryptocurrency to resolve the purported technical or banking issues. Gift-card details were shared through WhatsApp groups and later redeemed or encashed.Investigators alleged that the syndicate also used forged notices purportedly issued by the FBI and other US agencies to intimidate victims and make the fraud appear genuine.Police seized Rs 41 lakh in cash, 29 laptops, 25 mobile phones, eight routers and a car allegedly used in the operation. Key members of the network based in India and abroad have been identified, and further investigation is underway.
