2 booked for duping foreigners

Harshabab Sidhu

Mohali, February 27

The police booked two persons for duping foreigners on the pretext of approving their loans yesterday night.

The suspects have been identified as Mohammad Khan and Ramzaan, both residents of Nagaur in Rajasthan. They were running call centres — Skyway Inet Solution Pvt Ltd and MS Skiral Services Pvt Ltd – in Industrial Area, Phase 7, and used to target US citizens by calling them.

According to the police, several computers were used in the call centres and many unemployed youth were also hired by the two companies.

The incident came to light when the Jaipur police arrested 23 members of a gang, who were involved in duping foreigners through their call centres there. After investigation, it was discovered by the Jaipur police that a branch of their call centre is located in Mohali also.

Yesterday, the Phase 1 police conducted a raid at D-91, Industrial Area, Phase 7, where the gang was having their call centre branch. On reaching there, the police found both offices locked.

According to the Jaipur police, Mohammad Khan and Ramzaan were the main operators of a call centre, which was being run at a house in Shipra Path area. The call centre was on the same name as in Mohali. The suspects used to call American citizens through an application and act as finance companies of the US to explain the loan process. The main IT head of the call centre was Shahanwaaz, alias David, who was also arrested by the Jaipur police.

Mohammad Khan and Ramzaan are still at large.

The Jaipur police on Tuesday arrested 16 persons from Shyam Nagar area while seven were nabbed from Shipra Path area there. The police also recovered 25 computers, three laptops, a server, LEDs, 25 mobile phones and a Jaguar car from the possession of these gang members.

According to the police, the kingpins of the gang are Karan Singh Shekhawat and Kunal Sharma, who were arrested.

The Jaipur police produced all accused in the court today, which has sent them to three-day police custody.

The Jaipur connect

The incident came to light when the Jaipur police arrested 23 members of a gang, who were involved in duping foreigners through their call centres there. After investigation, it was discovered by the Jaipur police that a branch of their call centre is located in Mohali also.

Modus operandi

• According to the Jaipur police, the gang members used to gather the contact details of Americans using websites such as Yellow Page directories. Voice messages and calls were generated and send to their targets, saying that their loans have been approved or they can apply for a loan. The American loan process was explained to the targets. After that, the targets were asked to deposit the security amount of $200 to $500.
• The suspects did not accept payment through cash or cheque. Bitcoin was used as a source of payment, the police said.
• The police said the accused used to prepare fake loan approval letters through different softwares and electronic equipment.
• The buyers of the gang were usually based in China and Hong Kong, the police said.
• The investigating officer of Mohali police said that they are investigating the matter and are in touch with Jaipur police.
• Meanwhile, a case has been registered against Mohammad Khan and Ramzaan under Sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC at the Phase 1 police station.