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Bengaluru Police Bust US-Targeted Call Centre Scam

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Friday, February 27th 2026 at 4:20 GMT by The Hans India
      Locales: INDIA, UNITED STATES

Bengaluru, Karnataka - February 27th, 2026 - The Karnataka Police's Cybercrime Wing announced the arrest of two individuals, Vijayakumar (32) and Prashanth (28), on Thursday, February 26th, in connection with the operation of a fraudulent call centre targeting citizens of the United States. The arrests highlight a growing trend of transnational cybercrime originating from India, exploiting vulnerabilities in international tech support systems and preying on unsuspecting individuals.

The operation, discovered following a tip-off and subsequent investigation, involved the suspects posing as technical support agents from a legitimate US-based technology company. Police sources indicate that the pair systematically contacted US residents, falsely diagnosing issues with their computers and then convincing them to pay for unnecessary, often non-existent, repair services. The exact nature of the services 'sold' ranged from antivirus software installations to remote access troubleshooting, all designed to extract money from vulnerable victims.

"This wasn't a one-off incident," explained Inspector Ravi Kumar, leading the investigation. "The suspects had established a sophisticated system, utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to mask their location and appear as if they were calling from within the United States. They had scripts prepared, techniques to overcome skepticism, and a dedicated team focused on maximizing the number of successful scams."

The seized evidence - including computers, laptops, and a variety of electronic devices - is currently undergoing forensic analysis. Investigators are attempting to reconstruct the call logs and financial transactions to determine the scale of the fraud and identify potential accomplices. Preliminary estimates suggest the scam may have operated for several months, potentially defrauding hundreds, if not thousands, of US citizens. The monetary value of the fraud is currently under investigation, but police anticipate it will be significant.

The Rise of Tech Support Scams and International Collaboration

This incident is indicative of a larger global pattern of tech support scams. These scams frequently target elderly individuals and those with limited technical expertise. The allure of 'fixing' a perceived computer problem, combined with the authoritative tone of the scammers, often leads victims to comply with their demands. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported a substantial increase in complaints related to tech support fraud in recent years, costing Americans billions of dollars annually.

While Bengaluru has emerged as a hub for legitimate IT and business process outsourcing, it has also, unfortunately, become a focal point for cybercrime. The city's skilled workforce and relatively low operating costs attract both legitimate businesses and criminal enterprises. This case underscores the need for increased international cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat these cross-border crimes.

"We are working with the FBI and other US law enforcement agencies to share information and coordinate our efforts," Inspector Kumar confirmed. "These criminals are often operating beyond national borders, and effective prosecution requires a collaborative approach."

The investigation is now focusing on tracing the financial flow of the fraudulent funds, attempting to identify any money laundering operations linked to the scam. Police are also exploring the possibility that the arrested individuals were part of a larger network, potentially operating multiple fake call centres.

Protecting Yourself From Tech Support Scams

Experts recommend the following precautions to protect yourself from tech support scams:

• Be wary of unsolicited calls: Legitimate tech companies will rarely contact you out of the blue.
• Don't give remote access: Never allow someone remote access to your computer unless you initiated the support request and are confident in the source.
• Verify the company: If you receive a call claiming to be from a tech company, independently verify their contact information through official channels.
• Don't pay with unconventional methods: Scammers often request payment through gift cards or wire transfers, which are difficult to trace.
• Report suspicious activity: If you suspect you've been targeted by a scam, report it to the FTC and your local law enforcement agency.

As investigations continue, the Karnataka Police are urging anyone who may have been a victim of this scam to come forward and provide information. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of cybercrime and the importance of vigilance in protecting yourself from online fraud.