In a major cybercrime crackdown, Telangana’s Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has dismantled a fake call centre operating out of Hyderabad’s upscale Hi-Tec City. The racket, which primarily targeted Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and PayPal customers in the United States, was being run under the guise of a legitimate business entity named Exito Solutions. The cyber cops arrested 63 individuals in connection with the fraud.

According to TGCSB Director Shikha Goel, the call centre functioned as a well-oiled cybercrime hub, using advanced communication tools and phishing strategies to trick unsuspecting victims. “This was a highly coordinated operation aimed at exploiting PayPal users abroad, especially in the US. Many of the victims were NRIs who fell prey to sophisticated social engineering tactics,” she said during a press briefing.

How the Scam Worked

The accused impersonated PayPal’s customer care representatives by sending phishing emails to users, falsely claiming that unauthorized transactions had occurred on their accounts. These emails included a fake customer service number, prompting anxious recipients to call back. Once victims made contact, call centre executives used convincing scripts to mislead them and ultimately siphon funds from their accounts.

The fraudsters employed VoIP-based applications like EYEBEAM and X-LITE to conduct these deceptive calls, ensuring anonymity while operating from Indian soil. Police revealed that the operation bore similarities to typical OTP scams, where victims unknowingly give away critical credentials.

Prime Accused Still Absconding

The alleged mastermind behind the racket, Kaivan Patel Rupesh Kumar, hails from Gujarat and is currently on the run. His brother Vickey, who is believed to be residing in Dubai, and another accomplice named Ajad, reportedly played key roles in procuring stolen customer data and setting up mule bank accounts in the US. These accounts were used to collect the scammed funds, which were later converted into cryptocurrency to mask the money trail.

Authorities revealed that the arrested individuals were mainly from northeastern states and had been lured into the operation under the pretense of a legitimate BPO job. “While many joined unaware of the scam, they chose to stay even after realising the true nature of their work,” said Goel.

Corporate Structure Behind the Scam

Exito Solutions, presented as a bona fide customer support centre, was being overseen by its Managing Director, Chanda Manasvini, who was among those arrested. Other key players in the internal hierarchy included team leaders identified as Sanju, James, and Praveen, who were responsible for training and pushing agents to meet targets — reportedly 30 defrauded customers each.

The entire team operated in a closely monitored setup. Employees lived in the same PG hostel, and transport was arranged by the management to maintain secrecy and streamline operations.

Investigation and Way Forward

The TGCSB has intensified its manhunt for the absconding kingpins, Rupesh and Vickey. Meanwhile, digital forensic teams are analyzing the devices, servers, and communication tools seized from the fake call centre to uncover the extent of data breaches and financial losses.

Authorities have also sent alerts to US-based financial institutions and cybersecurity agencies for coordination in tracking down the international arms of the operation.

A Wake-Up Call for NRIs

This incident serves as a stark reminder for NRIs and global digital users to remain vigilant about unsolicited emails, unknown transaction alerts, and unofficial customer service numbers. Telangana’s cybercrime unit has urged users to always verify contact details through official websites and to never share sensitive account information over calls or emails.

For more updates on cybersecurity threats and how Indian authorities are cracking down on digital frauds affecting the global Indian community, stay tuned to Indian.Community News.