The Mulund Police recently cracked a fraudulent call centre operation that targeted foreign nationals, especially citizens from the US and Canada, offering fake loan schemes. Five people were arrested in connection with this scam, which involved calling potential victims abroad and luring them with promises of easy loans. The accused used deceptive tactics, such as phishing and coaxing victims into purchasing gift cards or paying hefty commissions, all while pretending to provide legitimate loan services.

The scam was operated under the leadership of Sagar Rajesh Gupta and involved setting up sophisticated call centre infrastructure with multiple phones and computers to reach out to international victims. Once contacted, the victims were tricked into believing they were eligible for low-interest or zero-interest loans but were asked to provide personal financial information or pay upfront fees. The perpetrators then disappeared with the money, leaving the victims with no loans or legitimate documents.

Cases like this highlight the growing sophistication of call centre frauds exploiting foreign nationals. Such scams often involve misusing personal and financial data, and sometimes convert payments through untraceable methods like cryptocurrencies. For example, another similar racket in Mumbai was uncovered recently, where scammers persuaded US citizens to buy gift cards under false pretenses and then converted the money into cryptocurrency. These scams rely heavily on social engineering, exploiting trust and urgency to prey on victims.

Authorities caution people receiving unsolicited calls promising loans, especially from unknown overseas numbers, to remain vigilant. Verifying the legitimacy of the financial institution, not sharing sensitive information, and reporting suspicious calls can help prevent falling victim. The Mulund Police’s successful operation underlines active efforts by law enforcement agencies to tackle such transnational frauds and protect innocent people globally. This bust also demonstrates how digital communication and remote setups are exploited for large-scale scams. It serves as an important reminder for individuals and organisations to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and for governments to enhance cross-border cooperation against such crimes.

The five arrested individuals are currently under police custody as the investigation unfolds, and authorities are tracking potential accomplices and victims. This case sends a strong warning to fraudsters while reassuring the public of ongoing vigilance to dismantle these dangerous scams and protect vulnerable communities abroad and in India.