Phone scam kingpin may be US national of Indian origin

Sources here refused to disclose the identity or the location of the mastermind apprehending his possible escape, but claimed the relevant information on his whereabouts has been shared with authorities in the US to facilitate his arrest.

An American national of Indian origin is suspected to be the kingpin of an international phone scam cartel that the US government says has swindled over $26.5 million since October 2013.

So far, the police have busted seven such call centres in Mira Road from where intimidating calls were made by staffers impersonating IRS officials to tax payers (and evaders) in the US into making payments. (HT Photo)

While warning citizens of the “phone scam” that saw an estimated 5,000 people collectively losing the above-mentioned amount by January this year, the website of US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has classified the fraud under the annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams in 2016.

Sources here refused to disclose the identity or the location of the mastermind apprehending his possible escape, but claimed the relevant information on his whereabouts has been shared with authorities in the US to facilitate his arrest.

“Our investigation is on,” Thane police commissioner Paramveer Singh. “We will disclose names at the relevant time.”

The sources claimed that the network is spread country-wide across cities, including Mumbai. “As per our information, at least 15 more call centres in and around Mumbai are in this business,” said a senior officer from Thane police, who is privy to the investigation.