The Assam Police have busted an international cyber fraud racket in Guwahati and arrested at least five persons in connection, officials said on Saturday.
The police on Friday evening also shut down several city-based call centres and fake customer care centres.
Of the five arrested persons, three were identified as Debajyoti Dey (31), Rajan Sidana (39), and Divyam Arora (31).
Meanwhile, with the assistance of the Bajali Police, two masterminds who had managed to flee Guwahati, were captured late Friday night near Bhabanipur in Barpeta district.
However, their identities have not been revealed.
During the raids, 191 workers from the call centres -- 144 men and 47 women -- were detained.
They are from Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
At least 164 desktop computers, 90 laptops, 26 mobile phones, and other electronic devices were also seized.
Guwahati police commissioner Diganta Barah said: “Based on intelligence reports, some scammer gangs operating in Guwahati are running call centers across India and defrauding and scamming Indians and foreigners by creating ‘Tech Support’ Pop-Ups on users' computers and posing as legitimate customer service representatives to trick people into parting with their money or personal information by making a variety of false claims.”
A case has been registered at Cyber Police Station in Guwahati.
According to Barah, the gang is suspected of stealing millions of rupees from trusting victims.
He explained that they would call people who had not requested to speak to them, pose as representatives of well-known businesses or organisations, and lure them into downloading remote desktop software or divulging personal information.
“The conmen would utilise this information to steal money from the victims' bank accounts or sell their personal data on the dark web,” the Guwahati police commissioner said.
Meanwhile, the police are looking into the situation more and are attempting to find the fugitive masterminds.
Additionally, they advise individuals not to divulge any sensitive information over the phone and to be on the lookout for such scams.
Tripura successfully resolved decades-old insurgency issues: Guv
The Governor said that the state government has included 27 additional schools under the coverage of Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India during the year 2024-25, and infrastructure development has been a priority.
PM Modi pays tribute to fallen heroes on Republic Day at National War Memorial
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 76th Republic Day by paying homage to India's fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
BSF unfurls Tricolour at Attari-Wagah border on 76th Republic Day
On the occasion of the 76th Republic Day, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday held the customary national flag hoisting ceremony at the Attari-Wagah Border in Amritsar, Punjab.
Bio-village 2.0 project to be executed in 5 villages of Tripura’s Khowai district
In a significant step towards sustainable development, the state science and technology minister Animesh Debbarma on Saturday launched bio-village 2.0 project in atleast 5 villages in Tulasikhar R D Block in Khowai district.
Tripura: Congress protests against Bangladesh embankment
Seeking the Union government’s intervention, the opposition Congress on Saturday organised a demonstration along the India-Bangladesh border areas in northern Tripura’s Unakoti district to protest the construction of an embankment by the neighbouring country along the boundary.
TRIPURA: Chief Secretary J K Sinha inaugurates 15th National Voters’ Day
Along with the rest of the nation, Tripura on Saturday celebrated 15th National Voters’ Day. The main function was held here at Agartala Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Saturday morning.