By posing as IRS officials, seven call centres duped US nationals of crores of rupees by using the hawala system. US counterparts were given monthly kickbacks
Days after news broke about a multi-crore call centre scam that duped US nationals of crores of rupees, police said it was just the tip of the iceberg as US citizens are easy targets for scams. Internet dog scams and extortion rackets run by agencies in India are just some of the traps US nationals fall into, said police.
"US Nationals citizens have fallen victim to email fraud, identity theft, investment fraud, Ponzi schemes, prize pitch, phone number spoofing, tax return scams and other rackets. It has now become a common occurrence," said a cyber cell official on condition of anonymity.
The official said even Indian nationals receive emails and calls from agents asking for bank details. "The agents use personal details, including account information, to siphon off their money," said the official.
The great Indian con busted by Thane police highlighted the way Indians, with their trained American accents, managed to pose as Internal Revenue Services officials from the US and demanded unpaid taxes. Police said those who called back and believed the threats would fork out thousands of dollars to "settle" their case.
Some victims were also told to buy gift vouchers from various companies, and hand over the voucher ID numbers which the impostors then used to make purchases.
Hawala operators were roped in to ensure the scam was pulled off without a hitch. The operators were given kickbacks on a monthly basis.
The call centre employees were given double the incentives based on collections made. Former employees of International call centres were also roped as managers with lucrative pay packages. The other agents joined the call centres through word of mouth and consultancy services.
The crackdown by Thane police has been lauded by US Federal Police. "US officials have been given details pertaining to the scam. They will crack down on those involved in the scam in the US," said Thane commissioner of police Param Bir Singh.
The IRS reports receiving more than 900,000 complaints about similar scam calls since October 2013. More than 5,000 people have fallen for the scam, paying out more than $26 million collectively as a result of scams. (Source: AP)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "dna")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}