Bengaluru, May 21: A significant crackdown on cyber fraud has taken place in Bengaluru. The Karnataka State Cyber Command has dismantled a gang operating a fake call center under the guise of QuickBooks, a well-known accounting firm in the U.S. This operation targeted foreign citizens, leading to multiple arrests during police raids across various locations.
According to police reports, the network operated with remarkable cunning. The fraudsters posed as representatives of QuickBooks, calling U.S. citizens to offer tax advice, license renewals, and accounting services. They deceived victims into paying hefty fees for services that were entirely fictitious, with the sole aim of scamming them.
This operation was part of a special campaign by the Karnataka State Cyber Command. Acting on a tip-off, teams from the Cyber Crime Police Station (Southeast) and the Special Cyber Cell simultaneously raided four different locations in Bengaluru where the fake call centers were based.
During the raids, police seized numerous electronic devices, including 44 SSDs, two mobile phones, two laptops, nine CPUs, and pre-prepared scripts used for calling. These scripts facilitated conversations with American citizens, helping the call center employees gain their trust.
Investigations revealed that the call center employees impersonated U.S. officials, using names and identities designed to avoid suspicion. Gradually, they managed to extort money from their victims.
Two main suspects have been identified: Prashant, a resident of Delhi, and Akash, from Uttar Pradesh. Police state that the duo established a company named Circle Square LLC, through which they executed scams amounting to millions from U.S. citizens using various shell companies.
The Cyber Command’s investigation is now focused on tracing where the fraudulently obtained funds were sent and which accounts were used to convert them into cash. Authorities are also working to uncover how many more individuals were involved in this extensive network.
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