India police bust major call center scam targeting Americans
PUNE, INDIA — In a late-night raid, Pune police uncovered a sprawling fake call center extorting millions from United States citizens through digital arrest threats, arresting five key operatives.
Operating under the guise of Magnetel BPS and Consultants, the syndicate allegedly swindled $30,000 to $40,000 daily by impersonating Amazon and U.S. law enforcement officials.
Highly organized cyber fraud operation
The illegal call center, running from the Pride Icon building in Kharadi, employed 123 workers—111 men and 12 women who worked night shifts to align with U.S. time zones.
Posing as Amazon representatives, they threatened victims with fake drug-smuggling charges, demanding payment via gift cards to avoid “digital arrests.”
The Pune Crime Branch deployed 150 officers and seized 64 laptops, 41 mobile phones, and 4 routers, along with scripts detailing extortion tactics. Investigators found the group had access to millions of U.S. phone numbers, adding 100,000 new contacts daily to their database.
The arrested—Sarjitsingh Shekhawat, Abhishekh Pande, Shrimay Shah, Laxman Shekhawat, and Aron Christian—were from Rajasthan and Gujarat, revealing a cross-state criminal network.
Three accomplices, including the mastermind, remain at large, with Pune police collaborating with Gujarat and Rajasthan authorities to track them down.
Global implications and public advisory
The bust highlights the global reach of India-based cyber fraud, with U.S. citizens as primary targets. With Pune Police’s efforts, people now realize that fighting these operations can only happen with cooperation among nations.
Those in cybersecurity warn never to give out personal details when you receive an unexpected call about a debt and to report to cybercrime units immediately. Victims are urged not to respond to suspicious messages and must stay vigilant at all times.
