Fake call centre duping foreigners busted in Thane; five detained
Thane (PTI): The Thane police have unearthed a bogus call centre that allegedly cheated foreign nationals, particularly US citizens, under the pretext of selling software, an official said on Wednesday.
Five persons, including the call centre owner, were detained after a raid at the premises in the Ambernath area of Maharashtra's Thane district late Tuesday night, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ambernath division) Shailesh Kale told PTI.
The bogus facility was operating from a business centre and functioned under the garb of providing software services, the official said.
"The call centre staff targeted foreign nationals, especially Americans. They contacted them on the phone, lured them with offers of software services and extracted money from them in different forms," Kale said.
The police received a tip-off about the illegal operations and raided the premises. The search operation continued till Wednesday morning, he said.
The employees used to make hundreds of calls to foreign nationals daily and would eventually succeed in duping a few of them, Senior Police Inspector Shabbir Sayyed said.
"They collected advance payments from the victims and blocked them after receiving the money," he said, explaining the modus operandi.
The employees were provided with a specific script for conversations to gain the victims' confidence and persuade them to transfer funds, he added.
The police have seized electronic gadgets and other accessories used in the alleged racket from the premises.
A case has been registered against five persons under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act and the Indian Telegraph Act, Kale said.
The police were verifying the victims' credentials and nationality.
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Bengaluru: Sheikh Latif assumes charge as CEO of State Waqf Board
Bengaluru: Sheikh Latif assumed charge as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Karnataka State Waqf Board.
Board Chairman Dr. Syed Muhammad Ali Al-Hussaini welcomed the new CEO and expressed confidence that his administrative experience would strengthen the Board’s functioning.
He said priority would be given to the protection, development and proper supervision of Waqf properties across the state. The Board also aims to expand its service-oriented activities through transparent and effective governance while implementing community welfare programmes.
Speaking after assuming office, Sheikh Latif said he would discharge his responsibilities with honesty and dedication. He emphasised that safeguarding Waqf properties and protecting public interest would remain his priority, adding that efforts would be made to enhance administrative efficiency, accountability and transparency within the Board.
A senior KAS officer, Sheikh Latif has served in various government departments, including the Minorities Department.
His appointment was welcomed by Board members and community leaders.
