Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jun 16: Goa has emerged as a preferred destination for operators of fake call centres that target and defraud unsuspecting foreign citizens, with police intensifying crackdowns on such illegal operations across the state.
According to police, fake call centres are being run from commercial complexes, bungalows and residential buildings, many of which remain vacant for long periods. In the past month alone, Goa police have raided four such centres operating in different parts of the state.
Investigators said the accused deliberately choose isolated locations with limited public movement to avoid attracting attention and reduce the likelihood of suspicious activities being reported.
Police analysis revealed that most of these fake call centres function between 8 pm and 8 am to match US time zones. The operators allegedly target American citizens through fraudulent schemes involving fake loan approvals, medical billing advances and other financial scams.
Last year, Goa police busted more than 25 fake call centres and arrested around 100 individuals from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Nagaland and Manipur. Most of those arrested were aged between 25 and 30 years. Police said a significant number of the operators were from Gujarat.
Alok Kumar said he has directed local police stations, the crime branch and the cybercrime cell to gather intelligence on such operations and take swift action.
“The message is loud and clear — not a single fake call centre should operate in the state. In the last two months, Goa police have taken significant action and arrested several people in connection with fake call centres,” Kumar said.
He noted that while fake call centres operate across India, many young people are drawn to Goa because of its lifestyle and nightlife. Once recruited, they undergo training before being allowed to interact with potential victims.
Police said recruits are provided with standard scripts and detailed instructions to handle customer queries and persuade targets to part with their money.
According to investigators, local operators often maintain links with agencies abroad that divert calls to Goa-based centres. “The local operators pay more than Rs 4,000 to the person who diverts each call,” a police officer said.
Officials said many employees spend their days socialising and enjoying Goa’s tourist attractions before reporting for work in the evenings. Salaries reportedly range between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 per month, with additional incentives based on the amount of money extracted from victims.
Police said those involved in major frauds can earn substantial bonuses. In some cases, individuals who successfully cheat victims of large sums, such as Rs 1 crore, can receive incentives of up to Rs 1 lakh.
Investigators also uncovered a peculiar justification offered by some of the accused during questioning. According to police, several individuals claimed they were not targeting Indians but rather citizens of countries that had historically exploited India.
“The accused defended the crime by saying they were not looting Indians but were instead looting people who had looted India over a period of time,” a senior police officer said.
Police have reiterated that such activities constitute serious cybercrime offences and have vowed to continue their crackdown on fake call centres operating in the state.