Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Fake Call Centre Busted in Karnataka, 33 Arrested for Defrauding International Victims
Imagine a group of people in a city in India running a fake office that pretended to be in America.
They would call people in the U.S. and try to trick them into giving them money by pretending to be someone they weren't.
The police found out about this fake office after getting a tip.
They went and caught 33 people working there, including men and women.
They also took away many computers and phones.
These fake callers were using special computer programs to hide who they really were and spoke with American accents to sound believable.
The police are also looking for the main boss who is in another state.
This fake office had been operating for months and planned to get even bigger.
Now, the police are adding serious charges because this kind of crime affects people in other countries too.
They are working with other agencies to find the victims and make sure the people who did this are punished.
Belagavi police busted a fake call centre in Karnataka, arresting 33 individuals for defrauding international victims.
The call centre primarily targeted American citizens, using VoIP software and 11 scam scripts to impersonate individuals and deceive victims.
Arrested individuals hail from various Indian states and Nepal, with the mastermind reportedly based in Gujarat.
Authorities invoked multiple sections of the IT Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Indian Telegraph Act, along with provisions for organized crime.
Investigations are ongoing with assistance from CID Bengaluru, CBI, and Interpol to identify more involved parties and connect with overseas victims.
- Who
- Belagavi police, 33 arrested individuals (from various Indian states and Nepal), International Security Division (ISD) Bengaluru, Internal Security Division.
- What
- A Belagavi-based call centre was busted for allegedly defrauding international victims, primarily American citizens, with 33 people arrested and electronic devices seized. The centre used scam scripts and impersonated American citizens.
- When
- The operation followed a tip-off from ISD three days prior and an anonymous complaint on Wednesday. Police announced the bust on Thursday, November 13. The call centre had been active since March.
- Where
- Belagavi, Karnataka, India (Kumar Hall on Bauxite Road). The operations targeted victims in the United States.
- Why
- To investigate and prosecute individuals involved in a large-scale international fraud operation that used impersonation and deceit to defraud victims.
Accused
Law Enforcement
Nature of Operations
Accused
The accused allegedly operated a fake call centre, using specific software and scripts to impersonate American citizens and defraud victims.
Law Enforcement
Belagavi police busted a call centre targeting international victims, arresting 33 individuals and seizing electronic devices. The operation was based on intelligence from the Internal Security Division and an anonymous tip.
Legal Charges
Accused
The initial FIR was registered under the Information Technology Act for identity theft and cheating by personation, along with a BNS section for cheating.
Law Enforcement
Additional charges include those extending jurisdiction to offences outside India, tampering with telecom identification, and provisions related to organized crime, reflecting the seriousness and scope of the fraud.
- Location of Call Centre
- Kumar Hall, Bauxite Road, Belagavi, Karnataka
- Number of Arrests
- 33 (28 men, 5 women)
- Victim Base
- Primarily American citizens
- Operational Period
- Active since March
- Software Used
- VoIP software (X-Lite, IBM, Sophos), Urban VPN
- Seized Items
- 37 laptops, 37 mobile phones
- Mastermind Location
- Gujarat, with accomplices in West Bengal
- Applicable Laws
- IT Act (Sections 66C, 66D, 75), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Sections 319, 48, 49), Indian Telegraph Act (Section 42), and provisions for organized crime.
Sources
Mumbai Crime: Mulund Police Bust Fake Call Centre Duping US, Canadian Citizens; 5 Arrested
Fake call centre busted in Mulund, 5 held for duping foreign nationals
Bengaluru police add strong organised crime charge in case of fake call centre targeting US citizens for ‘digital arrest’
