Particle.news
Download on the App Store

CBI Arrests Key Suspect as Punjab Police Detain 132 in Call‑Centre Fraud Crackdown

The parallel actions signal a coordinated push to choke off transnational phone scams that drain money from victims overseas.

Overview

  • The CBI, which arrested Lakhan Jaiprakash Jagwani on Wednesday, says he helped run illegal Noida call centres that posed as the FBI, DEA and Social Security Administration to steal $8.5 million from US victims.
  • Following Friday's coordinated raids in Ludhiana, police said they detained 132 people, seized over ₹1 crore in cash with 98 laptops, 229 phones and 19 vehicles, and froze more than 300 bank accounts.
  • Investigators describe a script in which fake Microsoft virus pop‑ups prompt targets to call a number, an opener uses UltraViewer remote access to take control, and a closer posing as a bank officer pressures payments by gift cards, gold pickups, wire transfers or doorstep cash.
  • Police say the racket ran in teams where each operator handled 8 to 10 calls a day, some crews netted about $20,000 daily, and workers drew fixed salaries plus commissions.
  • Beyond Punjab, Cyberabad police reported arrests in five cybercrime cases including a digital‑arrest con that cost one victim ₹60 lakh, while tax and cyber units trace hawala and crypto routes that could lead to more suspects.