Dollars, fake accents and scary scripts: How US citizens were trapped in India india news

In a major breakthrough against international cyber crime, Belagavi Police has busted an interstate scam operation that specifically targeted citizens in the United States. While India battles a rising wave of digital fraud domestically, this incident shows that some criminal groups have now shifted their focus beyond Indian borders.

Their goal is to make victims abroad who are unaware of such scam networks. The discovery once again highlights how cybercrime has become a global threat, with local operators using technology, deception and organized planning to reach out to distant countries.

How did the scam target US citizens?

The busted gang had set up an international call center at Kumar Hall on Boxset Road in Karnataka’s Belagavi city. Police have arrested 33 people from different states working in this centre. They used American phone numbers, English scripts with foreign accents, and special software to make their calls appear as if they came from within the United States.

American citizens were chosen as targets for a simple reason. Many of them are accustomed to customer service calls from banks, parcel companies or online retailers. The gang took advantage of this trust.

They introduced themselves as delivery agencies, payment verification officers or account checking officers. Their goal was to convince the victim that something wrong had happened and immediate action was required.

11 story templates used in scam

Belagavi police revealed that the gang used at least 11 different stories to dupe their American victims. These stories were designed to appear routine and believable so that victims would not initially suspect fraud.

Some examples include reporting that a parcel had arrived at the victim’s address, that a payment had been deducted from their bank account or that a suspicious order had been placed in their name.

Once the conversation started, the caller would increase the victim’s anxiety by saying that immediate verification was required. Through this they tried to extract sensitive information like bank account number, card details or login credentials. The objective was to gain access to the victim’s financial accounts and execute fraudulent transactions in dollars.

Technology behind the operation

Scammers used a combination of fake phone numbers and voice editing tools to hide their identities. Police say they used virtual numbers that appeared to be real US customer service lines.

Scripts were prepared in American English, and callers were trained to adopt the correct tone and accent so that they would sound credible. They had laptops, software to hide numbers, and tools that allowed them to appear as if they were official representatives of well-known companies.

The operation was functioning like a corporate office. Each caller had specific scripts, goals to reach, and daily call lists. This level of organization allowed them to reach hundreds of potential victims every day.

How was the gang caught?

Belagavi Police acted on specific intelligence that an illegal call center was operating from the city. When police raided the location, they found 37 laptops, 37 smartphones and several technological devices used to carry out the scam.

All 33 people were taken into custody. Investigators say the group had connections in several states and may have been operating for several months.

Why does this matter to US citizens?

This case highlights how criminals thousands of kilometers away can reach American homes with just a phone call. Many victims in the United States are unfamiliar with Indian scam networks and may more easily trust such calls.

Experts believe that US citizens, especially the elderly, are vulnerable to scams involving parcels, payments or bank verification as these are common services in their daily lives.

The Belagavi police investigation will now focus on tracking the flow of money, identifying how much was extorted from the victims and determining whether the gang had links to international cyber crime networks. United States authorities may also be notified if specific victims are identified during the investigation.

A message to both India and the United States

The case shows that cyber crime is no longer limited by geography. The criminals who once targeted Indian citizens with fake digital arrest threats and scam calls are now trying their luck with American victims. This reinforces the need for stronger digital awareness, better cross-border collaboration and prompt reporting of suspicious calls.