Hyderabad, India – Cyberabad police have dismantled a fake international call centre operating in the guise of an IT firm in Madhapur, arresting nine individuals involved in an elaborate scheme that defrauded Australian citizens of an estimated ₹8-10 crore. The Cyberabad Special Operations Team (SOT), along with the Cyber Crime Police, conducted a raid on the premises of "Ridge IT Solutions," seizing 12 computers, 21 mobile phones, routers, and other incriminating materials.
The investigation revealed that the prime accused, cousins Praveen and Prakash from Khammam district, established the fake call centre in 2024. They recruited seven tele-callers from Kolkata, providing them accommodation in Madhapur and training them to execute cyber fraud operations. Two local operatives, Ganesh and Keshav, also from Khammam, managed daily office operations and logistics. While Ganesh and Keshav along with the seven Kolkata employees have been arrested, Praveen and Prakash are currently absconding.
The modus operandi involved an international network where victims in Australia received fake pop-ups and emails warning that their computers had been hacked. These notifications displayed a fake customer care number, which, when called, was routed through the X-Lite application to the fraudulent call centre in Madhapur.
Once connected, the accused would convince victims to install AnyDesk remote access software, granting them full control over the victims' systems. This allowed the fraudsters to access online banking credentials and transfer large sums of money without the victims' knowledge. The telecallers were meticulously trained to mimic Australian accents to appear legitimate.
The stolen funds were initially transferred into Australian bank accounts belonging to Indian nationals and students based in Australia. These funds were then routed back to India through hawala, cryptocurrency, and other clandestine channels. Authorities discovered details of 45 Australian bank accounts on the accused's mobile phones, suspecting hundreds more were compromised over the past two years.
Cyberabad police have issued a warning to NRI parents and Indian students abroad, urging them not to share, rent, or sell their international bank accounts, as these are often misused for cyber fraud and money laundering. They have also encouraged citizens to report cyber fraud incidents immediately through Dial 1930 or Cyberabad WhatsApp: 9490617444, assuring confidentiality for informants.
This bust highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat cybercrime and protect citizens from international fraud schemes. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to apprehend the remaining individuals involved in the operation.
