Punjab Police Busts International Fraud Ring, Arrests Seven in Noida

Punjab Police’s Mohali Cyber Crime Cell arrested seven nationals from Ghana and Nigeria for running a fraudulent call center in Noida. The raid recovered 79 smartphones, 99 SIM cards, and documents related to 31 fake bank accounts, amounting to approximately ₹30 lakh in seized property. The scammers reportedly defrauded over 350 victims, utilizing tactics involving fake gifts and customs clearance charges.

In a significant operation, the Mohali Cyber Crime Cell, part of the Punjab Police, apprehended seven individuals hailing from Ghana and Nigeria. This group was allegedly running a fraudulent call center out of a rented location in Noida. The authorities reported the arrests occurred with a court granting a two-day police remand for the suspects.

During the raid, officers confiscated a sizable amount of equipment and materials indicative of fraudulent activities, including 79 smartphones and four laptops, which notably featured two Apple MacBooks. Additionally, a total of 99 SIM cards, both Indian and foreign, and documents pertaining to 31 fake bank accounts were seized. The estimated worth of these items amounts to around ₹30 lakh, with traced transactions involving approximately ₹15 crore through these accounts.

Mahali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans revealed that the suspects, all men aged between 25 and 35, are reportedly educated individuals. They allegedly employed deceptive social media profiles to establish relationships with victims, both within India and internationally, fostering trust before executing their scams.

According to SSP Hans, initial investigations indicate that the criminal organization may have defrauded in excess of 350 individuals. “Using advanced cyber tools and covert strategies, our team managed to apprehend the culprits,” he noted, shedding light on the complexity of the operations conducted.

The modus operandi of these scammers essentially involved enticing victims with promises of expensive gifts supposedly sent from abroad. Once trust was established, perpetrators would then claim that customs had detained the parcels, requesting payments as clearance charges or taxes. Victims were instructed to deposit specified amounts into the bank accounts provided by the scammers.

The operation was spearheaded by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rupinderdeep Kaur Sohi, who confirmed that the dwelling where the group operated was rented by a Nigerian woman, whose current location remains unknown. The authorities are actively investigating how the gang obtained the SIM cards and opened the bank accounts, which were established in private banks. Moreover, DSP Sohi mentioned that these fraudsters had also targeted Nigerian citizens themselves, deceiving them with fictitious job offers in India.

In summary, the Punjab Police have made notable progress in dismantling a major international fraud operation, arresting seven suspects and seizing significant assets that highlight the breadth of their illicit activities. The investigation continues, focusing not only on the immediate evidence but also on the potential network facilitating such crimes. This case underscores the importance of vigilance in combating cybercrime, especially as technology continues to evolve.

Original Source: indianexpress.com