Palghar Police Uncover International Cyber Fraud Racket in Residential Flat
In a significant crackdown, the Palghar Police have exposed an international cyber fraud operation based out of a residential flat in Palghar West, leading to the arrest of five individuals accused of cheating citizens in the United States. Acting on a credible tip-off, the Local Crime Branch (LCB) executed a late-night raid at a flat in Mahim, Palghar, on Monday, where the illicit call centre was being run by the suspects.
Seizure of Equipment and Modus Operandi
During the operation, authorities confiscated electronic equipment valued at approximately Rs 5.72 lakh. This included laptops, mobile phones, headsets, routers, and other internet devices essential for conducting the fraudulent activities. Investigations have uncovered that the accused allegedly impersonated technical support representatives of well-known international technology companies.
They reportedly targeted US-based victims, falsely asserting that their computers were infected with malware or had been compromised by hackers. Under this pretext, the victims were deceived into purchasing high-value gift cards, purportedly to resolve these fabricated technical issues.
Probing Financial Channels and Scale of Operation
Police are currently investigating whether the fraudulently obtained funds were subsequently converted into cryptocurrency and funneled through illegal channels. This suggests a highly organised and meticulously planned operation. Authorities are also examining the possibility of additional individuals being involved beyond the five arrested suspects.
A case has been officially registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The arrested individuals were presented before a local court and have been remanded to police custody as the investigation progresses.
Identities of the Accused and Legal Proceedings
The five accused have been identified as:
- Bharat Lalwani, 35, resident of Mira Road
- Rohit Nimbalkar, 29, from Pune
- Rohit Zore, 23, resident of Mira Road
- Amardeep Gill, from Bhayander
- Sagar Pathadia, resident of Surat
They have been remanded to police custody until February 28. Further investigations are actively underway to identify additional links within the cyber fraud network and determine its full scale and impact.
