Latest news with #IFSO
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
18 held for duping credit card holders of Rs 2.60 crore; data theft from call centre
NEW DELHI: Eighteen people were arrested for duping credit card holders across the country, except those from Delhi, of nearly `2.6 crore, Police said on Saturday. 'The accused, who were arrested after a six-month-long operation, obtained confidential customer data through insiders at a Gurugram-based call centre, posed as bank executives and tricked victims into revealing details such as OTPs and CVVs,' an officer said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (IFSO) Vinit Kumar said the syndicate used the stolen credentials to purchase high-value electronic gift cards from online platforms, which were then sold to travel agents. 'The proceeds were laundered through cash and cryptocurrency channels, primarily Tether (USDT),' he added. According to police, the gang deliberately avoided Delhi-based customers while running the operation across states. Masterminds were identified as Ankit Rathi, Waseem, and Vishal Bhardwaj. Call centre employees Vishesh Lahori and Durgesh Dhakad were accused of leaking data, while others arrested included handlers, SIM suppliers, and operational members. During the crackdown, police recovered 52 mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, and confidential bank details of customers.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Cybercrime syndicate dismantled by Delhi Police
In a six-month crackdown, the Delhi Police's IFSO (Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations) unit dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate that siphoned ₹2.6 crore from credit card holders across India. The gang, operating from Delhi's Kakrola and Uttam Nagar, included call centre employees, SIM card suppliers, and crypto launderers, who were arrested in a coordinated raid, the Delhi Police said in a statement. Police said they have recovered 52 mobile phones, multiple SIM cards and bank details. (Representational image) According to police, the fraudsters first obtained confidential customer data from a Gurugram-based multinational BPO whose employees had leaked credit card details since 2019. Posing as bank executives, the fraudsters called victims with fake offers such as 'One Time Permission' to extract OTPs and CVVs. Within minutes, they used these details to buy e-gift cards online and sell them to travel agents for cash or USDT cryptocurrency. The arrested accused were identified as Ankit Rathi, Waseem, Vishal Bhardwaj, who allegedly masterminded the operation, and Vishesh Lahori (Paji) and Durgesh Dhakad, who were call centre employees, and Shivam Sehrawat, who supplied SIM cards. Police said they have recovered 52 mobile phones, multiple SIM cards and bank details. 'This was an organised digital heist. We're setting a blueprint to dismantle such syndicates,' said deputy commissioner of police Vinit Kumar (IFSO).
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
2.6cr credit card fraud: Gang busted, 18 nabbed
New Delhi: In a six-month operation, the intelligence fusion & strategic operations (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police dismantled a cybercrime syndicate, arresting 18 people allegedly involved in a Rs 2.6-crore fraud. The investigation also uncovered the involvement of call centre employees in Gurgaon, who aided the alleged scammers by leaking confidential details of credit card holders. Police said an FIR was registered against a call centre operating from Kakrola in west Delhi, which served as the operational hub. The accused posed as bank officials to deceive credit card holders into revealing sensitive information, including OTPs and CVVs. This data was used to buy high-value electronic gift cards, later redeemed for booking domestic flight tickets. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Gold Rates Today in Delhi | Silver Rates Today in Delhi DCP (IFSO) Vineet Kumar said the victims were carefully targeted using data stolen from call centres providing card protection plans. Fraudsters posed as SBI customer care executives and used deceptive phrases like "one-time permission" and "customer value verification code" to gain the victims' trust and extract confidential information. These details were misused in real time for unauthorised online transactions. The syndicate had a clearly defined structure, covering every stage of the cybercrime chain — callers, SIM card providers, insider data sources, money handlers and masterminds. According to police, the masterminds — Ankit Rathi, Waseem and Vishal Bhardwaj — orchestrated the scam while insiders from a call centre in Gurgaon, Vishesh Lahori alias Paji and Durgesh Dhakad, leaked confidential customer data. The operational team, comprising Rahul Vishwakarma, Pawan Bisht, Kailash Purohit alias Kabir, Himanshu Chugh alias Babu and Ravin Saini, allegedly executed the phishing calls. Meanwhile, Akhilesh Lakhotia and Harsh Chauhan handled the conversion of stolen funds through crypto (USDT) and cash via resale of gift cards, said investigators. Shivam Sehrawat was allegedly responsible for providing SIM cards. The scam spanned across multiple states but notably avoided targeting SBI customers in Delhi, probably as a precaution to avoid early detection, said police. During the crackdown, police recovered 52 mobile phones, numerous SIM cards and compromised bank data. Investigations also exposed critical security lapses at the call centre. Some employees, working there since 2019, systematically leaked sensitive banking information. This ongoing breach raises serious concerns about the company's internal security protocols, given its access to sensitive financial data of major banks. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
27-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Delhi police launches city-wide cybercrime awareness drive
The Delhi Police on Friday launched a public outreach campaign on cyber security and digital fraud awareness, simultaneously holding events across all 15 police districts. The campaign was formally inaugurated at the Delhi Police Headquarters by commissioner of police Sanjay Arora, who also unveiled the initiative's mascot, 'Cyber Rakshak.' The informative event at Lotus Temple on Saturday. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo) 'The aim of the campaign was to bring together citizens in the fight against cybercrime and digital vulnerabilities,' the Delhi Police said in a statement. 'It emphasised educating citizens about the importance of protecting themselves against possible cyber threats and creating a safer and more secure online environment,' they added. Senior police officers said the event is part of the ongoing larger campaign of Delhi Police named 'We Care', and under its first part similar awareness events were organised on June 27 on narcotic drugs menace. Senior officials, including special commissioner of police (special CP) Anil Shukla, joint CP Rajneesh Gupta, Additional CP Sanjay Tyagi, and deputy commissioner of police (intelligence fusion and strategic operations(IFSO) Vineet Kumar, and ACP Ranjay Atrishya were also present at the inauguration. The campaign featured 'Nukkad Nataks (street plays)' on online fraud, short films on phishing, fake loans, job scams, KYC frauds, and digital arrest rackets, along with the distribution of informative pamphlets. The events were held at high-footfall locations including Palika Bazaar, Ambience Mall (Vasant Kunj), Maharaja Surajmal Institute (Janakpuri), CCRT Auditorium (Dwarka), OMAXE Mall (Chandni Chowk), Pacific Mall (Netaji Subhash Place), City Centre Mall (Rohini), and M-Block Market (GK-2), among others. At the Lotus Temple Auditorium, attendees voiced strong support. 'We're learning how to protect ourselves from scammers,' said Manish Kumar, 17. Theatre artist Ashish Mishra added, 'Even if one person is inspired, our performance is worth it.' Another attendee, Jatin Kohli, 16, urged more such initiatives, saying, 'A lot of cybercrime is happening. These programs help protect everyone,' said Kohli.
RNZ News
26-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Insurance disputes surge to record levels
By Kajal Nair , RNZ Dovedale flood damage. Photo: RNZ/Ellen O'Dwyer Insurance disputes have surged to record levels, with a 25 percent increase in formal cases this year, the Ombudsman reports. It has prompted the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) to issue fresh calls for insurers to do more to support vulnerable customers. The IFSO scheme has accepted 600 cases for investigation so far this year. Ombudsman Karen Stevens said while many complaints were resolved quickly, more were unresolved even after going through an insurers internal processes. Stevens said many insurers were already making positive changes, particularly in the aftermath of last year's flooding, but warned the current economic climate meant vulnerability was becoming more widespread. "Vulnerability isn't a label - it's a situation that can affect anyone. "Insurers need to recognise when someone is struggling and respond with empathy, flexibility, and fairness," she said. In response, the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) said insurers took their responsibility to vulnerable customers seriously and have made significant changes to their processes following recent North Island weather events. "Insurers changed their processes and approaches to better identify, prioritise, and support customers with significant vulnerabilities," a spokesperson said. "This included strengthening claims systems, improving training, and assigning skilled handlers to the most vulnerable cases - including direct contact [owners] with red- and yellow-stickered homes." The IFSO scheme encourages all insurers to improve communication by using plain language, offering extra time to customers in distress and providing access to support services such as interpreters and mental health resources. It has also launched training tools, including a short course developed with Massey University, to help insurers better recognise and respond to signs of vulnerability.
