Con call centre targeting foreign nationals busted in Ahmedabad, 2 held

Ahmedabad: Two men were arrested by Ramol police for allegedly operating an unauthorised call centre from a shop in the CTM area and cheating foreign nationals by promising personal loans at low interest rates.

Police identified the accused as Jay Dave (29), a resident of Amraiwadi, and Subrata Naik (35), a resident of Kailash Colony near CTM. During the operation, police seized four mobile phones and a laptop collectively valued at Rs 1.4 lakh.

According to the FIR filed with Ramol police, a team acting on a tip-off raided a premises operating under the name of a pan parlour in Kailash Colony on Tuesday. During the search, officers recovered electronic devices allegedly used to contact foreign nationals and carry out fraudulent activities.

Police said the main accused had obtained online data and leads of individuals residing abroad, and used multiple mobile apps to contact them. He allegedly lured prospective victims by offering personal loans at low interest rates and then induced them to transfer money giving various pretexts.

Police said the accused allegedly collected money from foreign nationals without providing any loan facility, thereby cheating and breaching their trust.

During questioning, the main accused allegedly told investigators that he had hired the second accused on a monthly salary of Rs 18,000 to assist in the operation.

The seized items include four mobile phones worth Rs 1.28 lakh and a laptop worth Rs 10,000. An internet connection used at the premises was also examined as part of the investigation.

A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating and criminal conspiracy, along with sections of the Information Technology Act dealing with identity-related and online fraud offences.