Noida authorities have shattered a cybercrime syndicate running a bogus call center in Sector-10, Phase-1, which defrauded people of millions by exploiting lapsed insurance policies. Operating covertly for half a year, the gang frequently shifted locations to evade detection, but their luck ran out with the arrest of three prime suspects: Varun Sharma, the operation’s head; Madan Gupta; and Pradeep Verma.
Seized items included critical tools of the trade—laptops, phones, specialized telephony lines, and victim data sheets. The ploy was simple yet effective: scammers bought bulk contact lists from Just Dial, then dialed victims claiming to revive dormant policies for a ‘processing fee’ between 10,500 and 100,000 rupees.
Pretending to be from legitimate insurance agencies, they built false trust to extract payments, routing funds through sham bank accounts. NCRB records show more than 20 FIRs against them from various states. Police action led to freezing 20 accounts holding 1.2 crore rupees, revealing how proceeds fueled online cricket gambling rackets—with 20% skimmed as commission.
The investigation deepens, with scrutiny on data provider Just Dial, facing potential notices. Charges are filed, and police anticipate netting more gang members soon. This case highlights vulnerabilities in data privacy and the perils of unsolicited calls promising financial windfalls.
In an era of rising digital deception, awareness is key. Verify caller identities, avoid upfront payments for refunds, and report suspicions promptly. Noida’s police force demonstrates unwavering commitment to safeguarding public money from such predatory schemes.
