Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jul 18: The Goa Police's Cyber Crime Cell has dismantled a fake call centre operating in South Goa that allegedly defrauded US citizens by promising loans and instant financial assistance. Six people have been arrested in connection with the racket.

Cyber Crime Superintendent of Police Raji Raut Dessai said the operation was allegedly masterminded by Visvadipsinh Harisingh Jadav (29), a resident of Bhavnagar in Gujarat. The other accused have been identified as Vishal Singh (24) of Rajasthan's Sirohi, Himanshu Prajapati (19) and Dhanraj Valera (24) from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and Trushit Sawant (39) and Mayur Sawant (36) of Raigad, Maharashtra.

According to investigators, the accused allegedly posed as representatives of a loan company operating under the name 'Payday' and targeted US nationals by offering fake loans and instant cash assistance.

Police said the victims were persuaded to make advance payments using gift cards, including Apple, Macy's, Green Dot MoneyPak, Razer Gold and Xbox cards, on the false assurance that they would receive loan approvals or financial benefits.

Acting on technical intelligence, the Cyber Crime Cell conducted a raid at the premises, where officers seized electronic equipment worth approximately Rs 8 lakh.

The items recovered included six laptops, six Apple iPhones, six headsets and a router, all of which are believed to have been used in carrying out the alleged fraud.

The operation was led by Police Inspector Deepak Pednekar, assisted by PSI Anil Polekar, Head Constables Anay Naik and Yogesh Khandeparkar, and Constables Karol Ibrahim and Akshay Verlekar, under the supervision of SP Raji Raut Dessai.

The arrested individuals were produced before a court, which granted police custody for further interrogation.

Police said investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the fraud, identify additional victims and ascertain whether more people were involved in operating the international scam.