The Verna Police dismantled a major illegal call centre operating out of rented industrial premises at Milagros Aqua Pvt Ltd. A raid conducted early Thursday morning, led to the arrest of 26 indi viduals for impersonating US bank officials and cheating US residents through computer and internet sources. Accused individuals used VPN calling and spoofing technology to contact victims, inducing them to transfer money via gift cards under false pretenses. In all 145 laptops, 45 mobile phones, routers, and other ac cessories valued at Rs 55 lakh were seized by the police. The arrested individuals hail from various States, including Nagaland, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
They were residing in rented flats at Sancoale. The accused have been remanded to two days police custody by the Ju dicial Magistrate First Class Court in Vasco. Cyber forensic analysis of the seized devices is currently underway to identify further accomplices. The authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent calls They noted that no government agency requests pay ment through gift cards or cryptocurrency. Suspicious ac tivity should be reported to the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or the nearest police station. The operation was monitored by Mormugao SDPO Guru das Kadam under supervision of SP South Santosh Dessai. Further investigation is being conducted by PI Anand L Shirodkar.
