Mumbai Police bust fake call centre in Andheri; 10 held for duping US nationals on pretext of selling medicines

Representational Picture/iStock

The Mumbai Police on Sunday busted an illegal call centre in Andheri and arrested 10 persons.

Mumbai Police's crime branch raided an illegal call centre in the western suburb of Andheri, an official said, adding that 10 people were arrested for allegedly duping US nationals on the pretext of selling them medicines, newswire PTI reported.

The crime branch raided the premises at Summit Business Bay in Andheri on Saturday and apprehended the accused, who have been booked under section 420 (cheating) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act, he said.

The fraudsters allegedly targeted US nationals through VoIP calling and posed as representatives of online pharmaceutical companies, the official said. The accused took orders for medicines from the victims, who paid them in US dollars, and then did not deliver the medicines, he said.

The crime branch seized electronic equipment during the raid, the official said, adding that further probe is underway to find out the extent of the fraud.

Earlier in the day, in a major anti-smuggling operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Mumbai Zonal Unit intercepted and seized a container load of foreign-origin cigarettes at Nhava Sheva Port. The consignment, initially declared as 'Chinese Viscose Woven Carpet,' led to suspicion based on specific intelligence.

Acting on the tip-off, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI Mumbai) officers examined two import containers arriving from Jebel Ali port, United Arab Emirates. The first container revealed a surprising find - it was fully loaded with Esse Change cigarettes, manufactured in Korea. The second container, supposedly carrying 325 rolls of old and used carpets, turned out to be a clever cover used by smugglers.

A detailed inspection exposed 67.20 lakh sticks of foreign-brand cigarettes, concealed amidst the old carpets. The total value of the seized cigarettes is estimated to be Rs. 10.08 crores.

The seized cigarettes, along with the used carpets, have been confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to unravel the intricate details of this smuggling operation. "This significant seizure reflects the DRI's determination to uphold its anti-smuggling mandate and to act decisively against syndicates engaged in such nefarious activities," an official said. (With inputs from PTI)