Turbhe Call Centre Scam Exploits Indians and Americans, 17 Arrested

Navi Mumbai: Authorities have dismantled a major cyber fraud operation in Turbhe, exposing a call centre involved in two separate scams targeting Indian and American citizens. The operation was uncovered during a raid on November 18 at Millennium Park’s Building No. 3, where 97 individuals, mostly recent graduates, worked under fake company names like The Wealth Growth and Stock Vision.

During the day shift (9am–6pm), workers allegedly ran a stock trading scam targeting Indians. Victims were lured via WhatsApp with fake profit charts and persuaded to transfer money to activate fraudulent trading accounts. The money was then funneled through numerous mule accounts. Police investigations revealed ₹12.29 crore in suspicious transactions across 61 accounts, with 31 cases already reported nationwide.

At night (6:30pm–3:30am), the same call centre operated an international scam targeting US citizens. Under the name Mac World Solution, they used malware to display fake Microsoft error messages on victims’ computers. The alerts included a number that connected victims to the call centre via VOIP. Staffers impersonated Microsoft technicians, using fake names and accents to trick victims into paying for fictitious repairs.

Authorities seized 108 computers, 38 phones, and other tech equipment. So far, 17 individuals have been arrested and held in custody until November 23. Three others were issued notices, and at least seven suspects remain at large. An FIR has been filed under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act, including identity theft and cheating by impersonation.

cyber fraud, Navi Mumbai, call centre scam, stock market scam, fake tech support