CBI Busts Noida Call Centre Duping UK, Australian Citizens
In a significant crackdown on transnational cybercrime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed a sophisticated fake call centre operation based in Noida that targeted unsuspecting citizens in the United Kingdom and Australia. The operation, carried out under Operation Chakra-V, led to the arrest of a key operative and the seizure of critical digital infrastructure used to execute the scam.
Cyber Fraud Targeting Foreign Nationals
The fraudulent enterprise operated under the name FirstIdea and used deceptive telemarketing tactics to impersonate technical support staff from Microsoft. Victims were falsely informed that their systems were compromised and were manipulated into purchasing bogus software solutions or granting remote access to their computers, resulting in financial losses and potential data breaches.
Arrest and Evidence Seizure
The CBI arrested Nishant Walia, one of the principal operators of the scam, during the raid conducted on July 7. He was presented before a Special CBI Court following his arrest. During the operation, officials intercepted live scam calls and confiscated equipment such as high-end computers, communication systems, pre-scripted fraud templates, and databases containing personal details of foreign nationals.
The call centre was housed inside a unit in the Noida Special Economic Zone, indicating the use of commercial legitimacy to cloak the illegal operations.
Global Collaboration in Cybercrime Crackdown
The operation was executed in coordination with international law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), and Microsoft Corporation, whose name was misused to lend credibility to the scam. This marks a significant moment in cross-border cybercrime enforcement, demonstrating India’s growing role in addressing digital threats globally.
CBI’s Cybercrime Strategy
Through Operation Chakra-V, the CBI has intensified its campaign against cybercriminals exploiting India’s tech infrastructure for international fraud. Officials have reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling such syndicates, stating that efforts will continue to trace financial trails, identify overseas collaborators, and secure justice for affected individuals abroad.
This latest bust underscores the critical need for international coordination, enhanced digital surveillance, and stringent enforcement to curb the rising tide of cyber-enabled financial frauds.
