CBI Busts International Tech-Support Fraud Racket, Four Arrested
New Delhi, Aug. 6 (TNT): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted an international tech-support fraud and extortion racket allegedly operating through fake call centres and offices across Punjab and Delhi, with four persons arrested in the case.
The syndicate, headed by the alleged kingpin, primarily targeted US nationals by posing as representatives of Microsoft, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, the agency said in a release here on Thursday.
According to the agency, the accused used pop-ups on computer screens displaying fake Microsoft toll-free numbers that redirected victims to fraudulent call centres operated by the syndicate.
The victims were allegedly misled into transferring money on the pretext of repairing their computer systems.
The accused also allegedly threatened victims by falsely claiming that they were involved in serious offences, including child pornography cases, and coerced them into making cryptocurrency ransom payments through crypto ATMs.
The proceeds were allegedly routed through multiple cryptocurrency wallets before being transferred out of the US and later laundered through operators based in Delhi.
The CBI conducted searches during the intervening night of August 5 and 6, 2026, at 10 locations across Punjab and Delhi, including a fake call centre operating from the premises of the main accused in Mohali, Punjab.
During the searches, the agency seized incriminating material including more than 20 mobile phones, 15 laptops/tablets, multiple hard disks, pen drives, memory cards, cash, documents and cryptocurrency wallets.
The main accused, along with three accomplices, has been arrested in connection with the case.
Further investigation is underway.
In one instance cited by the CBI, a Florida-based US resident was allegedly deceived in 2022 after fraudsters claimed that her personal and financial information had been compromised and illegal material had been planted on her computer.
Under pressure, she deposited around USD 4,40,000 through multiple transactions into a Bitcoin ATM, with the funds allegedly transferred to wallets controlled by the accused.
In another case, a New Jersey resident was allegedly targeted in 2023 through a similar modus operandi and was coerced into depositing approximately USD 1,30,000 into Bitcoin ATMs after being falsely told that her computer and banking details had been compromised.
TNT TS
