Andhra police arrest international cyber fraud syndicate, 33 held
Andhra police busted an international cyber fraud ring posing as Amazon support, arresting 33 and seizing tech gear and cash. The gang targeted US citizens via VoIP scams. An alleged worldwide cyber fraud gang based in Achyutapuram, Andhra Pradesh, has been busted by the police, who have arrested 33 individuals and confiscated expensive tech equipment and Rs 3 lakh in cash. Following a Village Revenue Officer’s report and information, Anakapalli district Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vishnu Swaroop conducted concurrent searches at three key locations on 22 May. Computers, network equipment, and upscale furniture were among the items confiscated. Swaroop told PTI on Friday that this was a full-fledged contact centre that used Amazon support as a front to target US individuals with impersonation and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) fraud. Police claim that job seekers were recruited via internet job boards, educated in impersonation tactics, and then used in scam calls to obtain private financial data from US citizens. Food and lodging were given to the recruits, who were primarily from Assam and northeast India. He claimed that after a week of training, they were on calls the following week. The fraud had four layers: managers, American bank representatives, and dialers impersonating Amazon assistance used “gift card redemptions” and other strategies to trick unsuspecting Americans.