Face2News/New Delhi
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed a syndicate involved in a sophisticated international tech-support fraud and extortion racket, operating through fake call centres and offices across Punjab and Delhi. The members of the syndicate headed by the kingpin targeted mainly USA nationals.
They posed online as representatives of Microsoft, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies. They deployed pop‑ups on computer screens showing counterfeit Microsoft toll‑free numbers that directly connected victims to fraudulent call centres run by the syndicate.
The accused would then mislead the victims into transferring money under the guise of repairing their systems. Likewise, they falsely alleged that their targets were implicated in grave offences such as child pornography, thereby coercing them into making crypto-currency ransom payments through crypto-currency ATMs. The defrauded crypto-currency proceeds were then routed through multiple crypto wallets for fund transfer out of USA. These proceeds of crime were later laundered through operators based in Delhi.
The CBI conducted raids in the intervening night of 5th and 6th August 2026 at 10 locations across Punjab and Delhi including a fake call centre running at the premises of the main accused(kingpin) at Mohali, Punjab. During the searches, incriminating material including more than 20 mobile phones, 15 laptops/ tablets, multiple hard disk/ pendrives/ memory cards, huge amount of cash, incriminating documents, crypto wallets etc. have been seized. The main accused, along with his three accomplices, have been arrested in the case. Further investigation is going on in the case.
Victim of Crypto Ransom Scam
A Florida (US) resident was deceived in 2022 by fraudsters who falsely warned that her personal and financial information was compromised and that illegal material had been planted on her computer. Under pressure, she deposited around USD 4,40,000 through multiple transactions into a Bitcoin ATM. The funds were routed to a specific wallet address and subsequently transferred to accounts controlled by the accused.
Targeted Through Fake Tech Support
Another New Jersey (US) resident was targeted using the same modus operandi in 2023. She was misled into believing that her computer was compromised and her banking details were being accessed by unknown entities. Coerced into compliance, she deposited approximately USD 1,30,000 into Bitcoin ATMs.
