Mumbai Police Bust International Cyber Fraud Ring: Nine Arrested for Impersonating US Officials

Mumbai Police Crime Branch has successfully dismantled two fraudulent call centers in Andheri (East), resulting in nine arrests. These individuals were allegedly conducting an international cyber scam targeting American citizens by falsely representing themselves as officials from a major online shopping platform and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

According to crime branch officials, they received intelligence about this operation on December 9, indicating that the fraudulent activities were being conducted from two separate buildings located in JB Nagar.

The perpetrators reportedly obtained and illegally utilized personal information of US citizens without permission. They employed Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems and various online calling applications to impersonate US government officials, using intimidation tactics to extract fraudulent penalties from their victims.

Acting on this intelligence, two separate teams from the Crime Branch Headquarters and Unit 8 executed coordinated raids at both locations simultaneously. During these operations, authorities confiscated 11 laptops, 11 headphones, 18 mobile phones, along with networking equipment including routers and switches, plus documentation related to the cyber-fraud scheme. The estimated value of all seized items is approximately Rs 4.72 lakh.

According to the investigation, the accused followed prepared scripts and used fabricated identities to intimidate victims, falsely claiming their bank accounts or packages were under investigation. Subsequently, they pressured victims into making payments to supposedly avoid arrest or legal consequences. Investigators believe the operation exclusively targeted foreign nationals.

Authorities have filed charges under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Information Technology Act 2000, and the Telecommunications Act 2023. All nine suspects have been taken into custody, and investigations are continuing.