In a major crackdown, Cyberabad SOT Balanagar and Cyber Crime Police raided a fake international call centre operating from Ayyappa Society, Madhapur, arresting nine people under various sections of the IPC and IT Act.

The centre, operating as ‘Ridge IT Solutions,’ allegedly defrauded Australian citizens by showing fake pop-ups claiming computer compromise. Victims were tricked into calling a spoofed helpline, routed via X-Lite to Hyderabad.

Tele-callers then accessed victims’ systems remotely through AnyDesk, stole banking credentials, and transferred funds to Australian accounts held by Indian nationals. Money was later routed to India via hawala, crypto currency, and other covert channels. The syndicate is estimated to have siphoned Rs 8 to 10 crore over two years.

Police seized 12 computers, 21 phones, 45 Australian bank account details, routers, stamps, and a Thar vehicle. Key operators Praveen and Prakash remain absconding. Authorities warned NRIs against sharing international accounts and urged reporting cybercrime via 1930 or WhatsApp 9490617444.