Illegal call centre busted in Goa, 26 held for duping US citizens

PANAJI: (May 29) Police have dismantled an illegal call centre operating from the Verna Industrial Estate in South Goa and arrested 26 persons for allegedly cheating US citizens by impersonating bank employees, officials said on Friday.

Acting on inputs, a raid was conducted at a factory hub in Verna in the early hours of May 28, where the illegal setup was found to be functioning, they said.

According to police, the accused targeted Americans by posing as officials of US-based banks through internet-based calling systems. They allegedly duped victims by persuading them to transfer money under false pretences, often through gift cards.