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How A Massive India Call Center Swindled 15,000 Americans (nytimes.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the we-need-a-'Do-Not-Swindle'-list dept.

An FBI agent based in India says the country has now become a major hub for call-center fraud, blaming "a demographic bulge of computer-savvy, young, English-speaking job seekers; a vast call-center culture; super-efficient technology; and what can only be described as ingenuity." The Justice Depatment recently indicted one company for scamming "hundreds of millions of dollars" from over 15,000 victims, placing more than 1.8 million phone calls to Americans, and Slashdot reader retroworks brings an update: The New York Times has an interesting blow-by-blow story on two India tech center employees who informed on their call center fraud operation, which targeted Americans (especially recent immigrants) with fraudulent IRS calls and other scams. [May be paywalled; free version here.] The building was surrounded by police, phone lines cut. Eventually 630 of the employees were released, and charges were brought against 70 managers and executives of the call center.
The operation filled a seven-story high-rise, and the Times reports that after the raid, "fraudulent IRS calls to Americans dropped 95% percent, according to the Better Business Bureau." But they add that one former employee believes the scams will continue. Within weeks of the raid, he'd been offered a nearly identical job: calling Americans and claiming that their computer was infected with a virus.

5 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. I still don't know how to feel about this... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sometimes the tables are turned. This is hilarious and sad. I can't decide how to feel about it, honestly.

  2. Empthy by SirSlud · · Score: 4, Funny

    I feel bad for people who fall for it, but the two times I was called for similar grifting, it was a hilarious fun conversation.

    --
    "Old man yells at systemd"
    1. Re:Empthy by gtall · · Score: 4, Funny

      I had a call too, right after I had read an article on the scam. As soon as the Indian fellow said, "We think your computer is infected with a virus, we are here to help you recover, just let us download Blah to fix it." I couldn't stop laughing at him. He was persistent, but so was my laughter.

  3. Re:These are easy to spot. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The REALLY insidious ones are even able to mount a successful run for the Presidency...

  4. Re:FBI Jurisdiction by gnasher719 · · Score: 3, Funny

    800 military bases in over 70 countries. Multiple wars in the last five decades. Largest economy in the world. Power doesn't get questioned.

    And soon the only nation other than North Korea that is being ruled by an alien hair piece.