Bengaluru: In a significant breakthrough against a sprawling transnational cybercrime network, Bengaluru police have dismantled a city-based gang accused of running a sophisticated tech-support scam that targeted unsuspecting citizens in the United States. Investigators said the fraudsters impersonated Microsoft technical support staff and used fabricated ‘Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’ violation warnings to extort large sums of money—believed to run into several crores, mostly in cryptocurrencies.
The Cyber Command’s special cell, along with sleuths from the cyber crime police station, Whitefield division, conducted coordinated raids on Friday and Saturday at the office of Musk Communications, located on the sixth floor of the Delta building in Sigma Soft Tech Park on Whitefield Main Road. The raids were executed on the basis of a search warrant and credible intelligence.
21 arrested in two-day operation
Police arrested 21 individuals who were present inside the office at the time of the raid. All were produced before a local court, which remanded them in police custody. Officials seized computers, laptops, mobile phones, hard disks and several other electronic devices believed to contain crucial evidence of the scam’s operations.
According to investigators, Musk Communications had rented a 4,500 sq ft office space in August this year. Police are now verifying rental agreements, payment trails and the role of the office owner.
“The rent for such a large space runs into several lakhs of rupees. We need to question the building owner on certain points,” an investigating officer said.
How the scam operated
A senior police officer detailed the network’s elaborate modus operandi. The gang allegedly deployed malicious Facebook advertisements targeted specifically at users in the United States. These ads contained embedded code mimicking legitimate security alerts or service links.
When a user clicked on such an ad, the code froze the computer screen and generated a pop-up that appeared to originate from Microsoft’s global technical support desk. A fake helpline number was displayed, prompting victims to seek assistance.
Once the victims called the number, the fraudsters, posing as Microsoft technicians, told them their system had been hacked and their IP address compromised. They further claimed that the victims’ banking data was at risk and cited bogus FTC violation notices to heighten fear.
Under this pressure, victims were coerced into paying hefty amounts for non-existent security fixes or compliance procedures.
Probe points to large-scale crypto transactions
Director General of Police, Cyber Command Unit, Pronab Mohanty, said preliminary findings indicate the gang may have defrauded victims of hundreds of crores of rupees, primarily through cryptocurrency payments.
“A detailed picture will emerge as we question the suspects. The operation was based on solid intelligence, and significant electronic evidence has been recovered,” he said.
Police officials stated that the structure and sophistication of the operation suggest links to a larger transnational cybercrime ecosystem. Investigators are examining the digital footprints, financial trails, communication logs and overseas connections of the accused.
Investigation widens
Authorities are now scrutinising the devices seized during the crackdown, analysing cryptocurrency wallets and mapping out the victims. They are also coordinating with central agencies to ascertain whether the network had ties to similar operations in other cities or countries.
Police said they will question additional individuals associated with the company and its operations and will also verify whether the gang used shell companies or forged documents to mask its activities.
The investigation is expected to expand in the coming days as more leads are examined and international cooperation sought where necessary.