Kerala Police Uncover Gujarat-Led Syndicate Targeting U.S. Citizens in Loan App Fraud
Authorities in Thiruvananthapuram have dismantled a sophisticated call center targeting American nationals with fraudulent loan offers. Investigators have arrested 13 staff members and launched a manhunt for the suspected mastermind, Akashdeep Choudary.
Night-Shift Fraud Operations Exposed in Chenthi
Thiruvananthapuram City police have shifted their focus toward an international financial crime syndicate after a raid on a makeshift call center in Sreekaryam. The facility, which operated under the facade of a legitimate IT firm in a rented office at Chenthi, was discovered during a broad anti-drug initiative labeled Operation Toofan on Monday. Authorities confirm the operation exclusively targeted foreign nationals, particularly United States residents, with no current evidence suggesting Indian citizens were victims.
The Mechanics of the Scam
The syndicate utilized a specific bait-and-switch strategy to compromise foreign financial data. The process followed a distinct pattern:
- Victims received deceptive messages stating their loan applications were pre-approved.
- Interested individuals were coerced into submitting personal and sensitive financial information.
- Collected data was transmitted to central operators for further exploitation.
To align with Western time zones, the staff worked through the night until the early morning hours. Employees received monthly salaries between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000, supplemented by a ₹1,000 commission for every successful lead converted into the fraudulent system.
Arrests and the Search for Akashdeep Choudary
While 20 individuals were initially detained, police have officially arrested 13 employees, all identified as natives of North India. One additional suspect was intercepted at the Ahmedabad airport. However, the alleged kingpin, Akashdeep Choudary, remains at large. Investigators note that Choudary, a Gujarat native, had previously operated a similar base in Ulloor before moving the hub to Sreekaryam. A formal lookout notice has been issued to facilitate his capture.
Digital Forensics and Financial Scrutiny
Law enforcement officials seized 41 computers and an array of digital storage hardware during the raid. Forensic teams are currently analyzing these devices to map the full extent of the fraudulent activity. Simultaneously, investigators are auditing the syndicate's bank accounts to calculate the total volume of illicit transactions funneled through the Chenthi facility.
Source: The Hindu — News
