Russia thwarts global call centre scam targeting 1 lakh people, including Indians

In a significant crackdown, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) dismantled an international network of fraudulent call centres involved in defrauding over one lakh people across more than 50 countries, including India. The operation, which saw the detention of several key operatives behind the scam, highlights a growing concern about cross-border cybercrime targeting unsuspecting people worldwide.

According to the FSB, the call centres, linked to former Georgian Defence Minister D Kazerashvili, who is currently based in London, were operated under the guise of investment schemes. These fraudulent operations generated an estimated income of USD 1 million per day, exploiting citizens from countries including the EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, Japan and India.

INDIAN CONNECTION

The scam’s global footprint extended to India, one of the world’s largest markets for investment platforms and digital transactions. Victims in India were reportedly lured with promises of lucrative returns on investments, highlighting the urgent need for awareness about online fraud schemes.

KEY ARRESTS AND ALLEGATIONS

The FSB detained several key operatives, including Israeli-Ukrainian citizen Keselman Ya D, while Israeli-Georgian citizen Todva D remains on the run. The duo allegedly orchestrated the operation and had ties to disseminating false terror attack threats in Russia.

The detained individuals face charges under Russia’s criminal code for organising a criminal community, large-scale fraud and spreading false reports of terrorist acts.

CYBER SLAVERY IN GOLDEN TRIANGLE

This operation comes on the heels of India Today’s Special Investigation Team uncovering cyber slavery camps in Southeast Asia. The infamous “Golden Triangle”, once known for drug trafficking, now harbours cyber exploitation syndicates. Thousands of people, including Indians, are lured by fake job offers and end up trapped in brutal cybercrime operations run by Chinese syndicates in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

India Today documented the harrowing accounts of three survivors – Pradeep Kushawaha, Nandan Sah and Rohit Sharma – highlighting the scale of this modern-day slavery. The Indian government has taken action, with over 1,000 citizens repatriated and the Home Ministry’s I4C wing investigating cases in the region.

Both the Russian crackdown and the Southeast Asian cyber slavery exposé underscore the critical need for international collaboration and individual awareness to combat rising global cybercrime. With scammers leveraging technology and exploiting vulnerable individuals, proactive measures are essential to protect potential victims worldwide.