In a major crackdown on cyber fraud, Noida Police have dismantled a sophisticated fake call center operation that swindled crores of rupees from unsuspecting victims by promising refunds on lapsed insurance policies. The bust took place in Sector-10 under Phase-1 police station jurisdiction, exposing a well-oiled scam network that had been operating for the past six months.
Three key accused—Varun Sharma, Madan Gupta, and Pradeep Verma—were arrested in a swift operation. Authorities recovered laptops, mobile phones, PRI lines, calling data sheets, and other electronic gadgets used in the fraudulent activities. Varun Sharma emerged as the mastermind, managing daily operations and distributing the ill-gotten gains among the gang.
The scammers purchased contact data from Just Dial for as low as 10,000 rupees per 5,000 leads. Posing as representatives from insurance or investment firms, they cold-called victims, luring them with assurances of recovering money from expired policies. Victims were coerced into paying processing fees or investments ranging from 10,500 to 1 lakh rupees.
Over 20 complaints have surfaced on the NCRB portal from across India, highlighting the gang’s nationwide reach. The fraudulently obtained money was funneled through fake bank accounts, with police freezing 20 such accounts containing approximately 1.2 crore rupees. Shockingly, a large portion of the proceeds was wagered on online cricket betting, where Sharma transferred funds to bookies, earning a 20% commission while recycling 80% back to the group.
Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissionerate is now preparing to issue notices to Just Dial and its owners, probing their role in selling personal data. A case has been registered at Phase-1 station, with investigations ongoing to uncover more accomplices. This operation underscores the growing menace of cybercrime and the police’s resolve to combat it head-on.
As digital scams evolve, citizens are urged to verify claims before parting with money, especially those promising quick refunds on old policies. Noida Police’s success serves as a warning to fraudsters lurking in the shadows of technology.