ANAKAPALLI, May 23: Andhra Pradesh Police have dismantled a large-scale international cyber fraud racket operating out of Achyutapuram in Anakapalli district, arresting 33 individuals, many of whom are from northeastern states. Authorities suspect the scam may have defrauded over ₹600 crore from unsuspecting victims, primarily in the United States.
Led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Vishnu Swaroop, simultaneous raids were conducted on Thursday at three major locations following intelligence inputs and a complaint from a Village Revenue Officer. Seized items included computers, high-end networking devices, and luxury furnishings, all linked to a sophisticated impersonation-based call center.
“This was a fully operational call center that impersonated Amazon customer support to scam US citizens via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP),” said DSP Swaroop. Recruits, mostly job seekers from states like Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Gujarat, were hired through online portals, provided food and accommodation, trained in impersonation tactics within a week, and deployed to make fraudulent calls.
The scam functioned in a four-layered hierarchy: dialers posed as Amazon agents, American bank officials, and managers, who lured victims with schemes such as gift card redemptions. A suspected fifth super-layer handled money laundering through VPNs and spoofed identities. Victims were asked to purchase gift cards and share the codes, which were then routed internationally.
Two masterminds, Punit Goswami from Maharashtra and Avihant Daga from Rajasthan, have been arrested. Others are under interrogation to uncover the full extent of the syndicate. While 60–70% of those caught were entry-level operatives with short tenures, others in management roles had been active for up to a year.
“The operation has significantly damaged India’s international reputation,” said Swaroop, highlighting the scam’s use of advanced technology, fake identities, and international laundering channels.
Police have filed charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), IT Act, and Indian Penal Code (IPC), including fraud, criminal conspiracy, and cyber impersonation. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend higher-level operatives and track the laundered funds.
