Illegal call center targeting foreigners busted in India
KOLKATA, INDIA — The Kolkata police recently arrested the owner of Met Technologies Pvt Lt, Kunal Gupta, for running an illegal international call center that defrauded people in the United States (U.S.), the United Kingdom (UK), and Australia.
The arrest came after an investigation initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) based on a police First Information Report (FIR) alleging cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. The probe uncovered the fraudulent call center in Salt Lake, Kolkata, which targeted foreign nationals.
Under Gupta’s scheme, call center employees posed as representatives of legitimate businesses, defrauding victims through tech support scams, fake websites, and sham loans. Victims were coerced into making substantial payments, totaling crores of rupees.
The ED also found that Gupta set up companies in the UK, US, and Australia, with two of his UK companies penalized by Ofcom for illegally switching a consumer’s phone service without consent. He was also suspected of illegal betting and online gambling activities.
The laundered funds were invested in the hospitality sector, including hotels, clubs, and cafes.
Gupta was arrested on September 10 and will remain in ED custody until September 22.
