Punjab Police Bust International Fraud Racket Operating from Noida
Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Cell arrested seven Nigerians and Ghanaians in Noida for running a fake call center. Raids led to the seizure of 79 phones, 99 SIMs, and equipment valued at ₹30 lakh. Police uncovered fraud schemes luring thousands with false gifts, suggesting over ₹15 crore of transactions. Investigations continue into the suspects’ networks and operations targeting both Indians and foreign nationals.
In a significant crackdown, the Mohali Cyber Crime Cell of Punjab Police arrested seven individuals from Nigeria and Ghana operating a fraudulent scheme out of a rented property in Noida. The police conducted the raid over the weekend and were quick to uncover the workings of a phony call center, leading to court mandated police remand for the suspects, who are all men aged between 25 and 35, as stated by officials.
During the operation, authorities seized an impressive amount of evidence including 79 smartphones, four laptops (notably two Apple MacBooks), and 99 SIM cards both Indian and foreign, along with documentation for 31 fake bank accounts. The total worth of seized items is estimated to be around ₹30 lakh, while the illicit transactions linked to these accounts reportedly amount to approximately ₹15 crore, according to the police.
SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans detailed that the suspects are well-educated individuals who allegedly utilized fake social media profiles to target both Indian and international victims. Their method typically involved making promises of expensive gifts supposedly being sent from abroad, only to later claim that customs issues required further payments for tax and clearance fees.
“Using advanced cyber tools and covert strategies, our team managed to apprehend the culprits,” said SSP Hans, indicating that the suspects may have defrauded over 350 individuals in total. The investigations are widening as it becomes clear that the group had an extensive reach.
Authority figures, including DSP Rupinderdeep Kaur Sohi, managed the operation which led to the discovery of the house from which these criminals operated. This suspected base was rented by a female whose nationality was Nigerian, but her current location remains unknown.
Sohi also mentioned that these con artists operated through bank accounts opened at private banks amid ongoing investigations into both the account holders’ identities and how they acquired the SIM cards. Additionally, she raised concerns regarding the targeting of Nigerian citizens with fraudulent job offers within India, showcasing the scammers’ expansive operations.
The Punjab Police’s recent operation highlights a major breakthrough in combating international fraud. With advanced techniques leading to the arrest of seven suspects and the seizure of substantial evidence, it sheds light on the tactics used in such scams. While the police continue to investigate and further uncover the depth of the operation, the alarming effects on victims both in India and beyond cannot be ignored. The crackdown emphasizes the need for continued vigilance against cyber fraud.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
