AP: 33 Arrested in Fake Amazon Support Scam Targeting Americans

Visakhapatnam: Anakapalli district police have dismantled an organised international cybercrime operation that was defrauding American citizens through impersonation schemes, arresting 33 people in coordinated raids across three locations in Achyutapuram.

The breakthrough came following a report from the village revenue officer (VRO). District superintendent of police Tuhin Sinha, during a press conference held on Thursday, said that the criminal network had been targeting US citizens by posing as Amazon customer support representatives and using psychological manipulation to extract substantial sums of money.

The SP briefed the modus operandi, stating that the diallers initiated spoofed VOIP calls to American citizens, claiming to represent Amazon's fraud alert department. Bankers then impersonated officials from US banks or the Federal Trade Commission to extract sensitive personal and financial information from victims.

The SP said that the operation's main players were the closers, who convinced victims to purchase gift cards and share redemption codes. Managers then laundered these gift cards through online tools, cryptocurrency platforms, and dark web exchanges, while an HR/Admin team recruited and trained new staff members.

These people were recruited from Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, as well as Gujarat.

The SP revealed that diallers earned Rs.20,000 per month, bankers were paid Rs.35,000-40,000, closers were paid Rs.50,000 and managers receive Rs.75,000 as monthly salaries.

The main two accused who were arrested behind this crime are Puneet Goswami from Maharashtra and Avihant Daga from Rajasthan.

During the simultaneous raids, police seized computer systems, networking devices, digital infrastructure, and Rs.3 lakh in cash. Multiple vehicles, furniture, and amenities used to operate the centres as both residences and training facilities were also identified and secured.

Tuhin Sinha emphasised that they use VOIP masking, identity theft, spoofed communications, and international money laundering channels to commit crime.

Cases have been registered under various actions at Achyutapuram police station under BNS Section 318(4) for cheating through electronic medium, BNS Sections 61(2) and 111(2)(b)(3) for organised crime participation and abetting, IT Act Sections 66C and 66D for identity theft and electronic impersonation, and IPC Sections 420, 120B, and 34 for cheating, criminal conspiracy, and common intention.

All 33 arrested individuals have been produced before the court for judicial remand as the investigation continues to expand.