Suspects accused of posing as bank officials to deceive U.S. citizens through internet-based calls
Police in Goa have dismantled an illegal call centre operating from the Verna Industrial Estate in South Goa and arrested 26 people for allegedly defrauding citizens in the United States by impersonating bank officials.
According to police, the accused used internet-based calling systems to contact American residents while falsely claiming to represent U.S.-based banks. Investigators believe the operation was part of a larger fraud network designed to obtain sensitive financial information and deceive victims into transferring money.
The crackdown followed intelligence inputs received by law enforcement authorities regarding suspicious activities at a facility in the Verna Industrial Estate. Acting on the information, a police team conducted a raid in the early hours of May 28 and uncovered a fully functioning illegal call centre
Officials said 26 individuals present at the premises were taken into custody during the operation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly been trained to pose as customer service representatives and bank officials to gain the trust of potential victims.
Police seized computers, communication equipment, digital devices and other materials believed to have been used in carrying out the fraudulent activities. The seized items are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are also working to determine the scale of the alleged scam, including the number of victims affected and the total financial losses involved. Investigators are examining digital records and financial transactions linked to the operation.
Police said further inquiries are underway to identify the organisers of the racket and to establish whether the call centre had links to similar fraud networks operating elsewhere. Additional arrests and legal action may follow as the investigation progresses.
The case highlights continuing concerns over cyber-enabled financial frauds targeting overseas victims through sophisticated impersonation schemes.
