Srinagar’s law enforcement has struck a decisive blow to an international cyber fraud racket, arresting seven individuals and seizing high-tech gadgets worth millions. Intelligence inputs to the CIK-CID highlighted secret call centers perpetrating online frauds on a global scale, preying on innocent people abroad and at home.
Responding promptly, a crack team of cyber specialists and investigators launched round-the-clock monitoring and digital forensics. Their efforts culminated in locating the primary base at Rangreth Industrial Area, followed by lightning raids that netted the suspects red-handed.
Among the seized materials were 13 smartphones, 9 laptops, VoIP setups, numerous SIMs, routers, and data storage units—clear evidence of a professional crime outfit. Early probes point to a well-coordinated syndicate with tentacles outside the region, focusing on victims in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Employing cutting-edge tech like VoIP spoofing and virtual number generation, the gang masked their Srinagar origins while impersonating genuine tech support. Fake online ads and phishing links directed victims to sham toll-free lines, where operators extracted sensitive information by claiming accounts were hacked.
Stolen funds were rapidly dispersed via layered bank transfers, digital wallets, and cryptocurrencies like USDT, evading easy detection. The operation’s digital-only nature amplified its sophistication, with fraud amounts suspected to exceed several crores.
Legal proceedings are in motion with an FIR invoking cheating, conspiracy, and IT Act provisions. Interrogations continue alongside device forensics, victim identification, and international collaboration to uproot the syndicate completely.