Fake call centre in Hyderabad’s Hitech city targeted NRIs and US citizens; 63 arrested
The Hindu
Telangana Cyber Security Bureau arrests 63 people working at a Hyderabad fake call centre scam targeting NRIs and US citizens.
A total of sixty-three individuals operating out of a fake call centre in Hyderabad’s HiTec City were arrested by the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) in an operation carried out on the intervening night of Wednesday (March 5, 2025) and Thursday (March 6, 2025). The individuals, posing as PayPal customer care representatives, primarily targeted Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and US citizens, tricking them into fraudulent financial transactions.
Investigation revealed that the centre was operational since the beginning of January 2025. Each of the employees was asked to make at least 30 calls a day, totalling to over 600 calls per day. The centre operated between 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
A majority of the accused, belong to the North-Eastern part of the country. Some of the arrested include 26-year-old Chanda Manasvini, from Hyderabad who leased the premises; 20-year-old Akshat Thapa, from Meghalaya; 23-year-old Anand Kumar, from Bihar; 36-year-old Achichi; 29-year-old Apeji Apon; 20-year-old Apao Pasane, from Manipur; 23-year-old Asha Lama; 22-year-old Atheli Chishi; 24-year-old Atsomong Thevii; 23-year-old Babil Debnath; 18-year-old Bendangjungla; 28-year-old Dinbe Chawang, the latter six from Nagaland.
“The call centre was earlier started near Madhapur’s N-convention centre in October 2024. It was shut down due to low response from US citizens owing to their year-end holidays. It was made operational again in Patrika Nagar of Hitec City from January,” TGCSB Director Shikha Goel explained.
The official said that the individuals were first roped in by offering a job in a call centre here. “However, they were later trained on defrauding citizens by posing as PayPal representatives. All of them were given daily targets and they willingly participated in the scam,” she added.
The accused lived in a hostel about 4-5 kilometres away from the call centre and travelled back and forth via cabs from aggregator platforms. Most of them studied only till the senior secondary level however were very conversant with English language.
The Bureau is collaborating with the Telecom Department as well as the U.S. Consulate to identify the victims and ascertain the fraudulent accounts in the US.
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