Fake Call Centre: Accused had access to robotic call software, revelas probe

Nikhil Bhardwaj
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 7

The ongoing questioning of the accused in the fake call centre case has led to startling revelations about their modus operandi and the use of advance technology to target nationals of the UK, Canada and the USA.

Sources said the accused had bought an access to bulk robotic call software to call thousands of people at once.

“The accused used to make 30,000 calls at once. The receiver is made to listen to a recorded voice message, which gives information about tax penalty. The voice message gives an option to press button to reach out to government executives to pay the penalty. If the receiver opts for further interaction, the accused sitting at the fake call centres in Ludhiana and Mohali guide them about the process of filing penalty,” said a senior police official.

The accused, posing as tax/insurance authorities, used to call unsuspecting citizens of the UK, US and Canada and commit financial frauds. The victims were asked to transfer money to local bank accounts, which was then further repatriated to India through Hawala channels or using cryptocurrency like Bitcoins

The police have procured the records of lakhs of such calls, which were being scanned to reach out to the complainants.

When contacted, Additional DCP (Investigation) Rupinder Kaur Bhatti said the accused received penalty not only through cash, but also via Bitcoins and Altcoins. The police have recovered Rs 39 lakh deposited in 18 bank accounts of the accused.