Karnataka Cyber Command Dismantles Fake Call Centres Targeting US Citizens
Severity: Medium (Score: 48.9)
Sources: Newindianexpress, Thehawk.In
Published: · Updated:
Keywords: fake, call, centres, bengaluru, karnataka, cyber, command
Summary
The Karnataka State Cyber Command arrested two individuals for operating fake call centres in Bengaluru that impersonated 'QuickBooks', a US-based accounting software company. The call centres defrauded American citizens by offering counterfeit tax advice, fake licensing services, and fraudulent technical support, collecting large sums of money. Raids were conducted at four locations, leading to the seizure of 44 SSDs, two mobile phones, two laptops, nine CPUs, and scripts used for scamming victims. The arrested suspects, Prashanth and Akash, had been operating the scam for about four years, employing around 30 staff members. The investigation is ongoing to identify additional accomplices and the financial networks involved. This incident follows a previous bust in October 2025, where 16 individuals were arrested for similar fraud activities. Key Points: • Two men arrested for running fake call centres impersonating QuickBooks. • Fraudulent services included tax advice and licensing, targeting US citizens. • Ongoing investigations aim to uncover broader networks and financial operations.
Detailed Analysis
**Impact** US citizens, primarily elderly victims, were targeted and defrauded of millions of dollars through fake call centres impersonating QuickBooks. The scam affected hundreds of victims across the US, involving counterfeit tax advice, fake licensing, and fraudulent technical support services. The operation employed approximately 30 individuals in Bengaluru, India, and had been active for around four years, causing significant financial losses and reputational damage to the legitimate company impersonated. **Technical Details** The attackers operated fake call centres using social engineering tactics, impersonating US officials and QuickBooks representatives to gain victim trust. They used pre-written scripts, fake identities, and shell companies to collect payments and launder proceeds. Infrastructure included multiple locations in Bengaluru (Koramangala, HSR Layout, Choodasandra) with seized assets comprising 44 SSDs, laptops, CPUs, and mobile phones. No malware, CVEs, or specific exploit techniques were reported. **Recommended Response** Organizations should monitor for social engineering attempts impersonating accounting software providers and US government agencies. Deploy detection rules for suspicious call centre activities and financial transactions linked to shell companies. Law enforcement and financial institutions should prioritize blocking identified shell company accounts and monitor for fraudulent licensing and tax advice schemes. No specific patches or malware signatures are applicable based on available information.
Source articles (2)
- Fake call centres targeting US citizens busted in Karnataka — Newindianexpress · 2026-05-22
BENGALURU: The state cyber command police arrested two persons for allegedly operating fake call centres in Bengaluru and cheating several US citizens by impersonating “QuickBooks”, a prominent US-bas… - Karnataka Cyber Command busts fake call centres targeting Americans — Thehawk.In · 2026-05-21
Bengaluru, May 21 (IANS) The Karnataka State Cyber Command has busted fake call centres operating in Bengaluru in the name of “Quick Book”, a prominent US-based accounting company, and arrested two pe…
Timeline
- 2025-10-01 — Previous fraud ring dismantled: 16 individuals arrested in Bengaluru for operating a fake call centre targeting US citizens, using coercive tactics.
- 2026-05-21 — Raids conducted on fake call centres: Karnataka Cyber Command raided four locations in Bengaluru, arresting two suspects and seizing multiple electronic devices.
- 2026-05-22 — FBI involvement reported: FBI Boston flagged a related scam operation, indicating broader implications of the fraud scheme affecting US citizens.
Related entities
- Phishing (Attack Type)
- Circle Square LLC (Company)
- Cybits Solutions Pvt Ltd (Company)
- Quick Book (Company)
- Work India (Platform)