LONDON, Oct 4 - A recent joint operation against computer software service fraud offences between the UK and Indian security forces has led to raids on 10 suspect offices in six cities of India, according to UK authorities.
The City of London Police, the UK�s national lead force for fraud, revealed this week that it confirmed people in the UK had been defrauded by these companies to its counterparts in India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
They provided vital witness statements, detailing the victim�s dealings with the companies concerned, evidence which is a key requirement to enable the police in India to take action against fraudulent companies.
�We welcome this enforcement action on the part of the Central Bureau of Investigation and will support their efforts to bring offenders to justice through the Indian courts,� said Alex Rothwell, Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent at the City of London Police.
�At the time of the lockdown in India, we saw a sharp decline in reports of computer software service fraud in the UK, but we know that criminals adapt quickly to continue to try to defraud people. As more people work from home, the need to prevent fraud of this nature has become more urgent,� he said.
The companies are alleged to have displayed pop-up messages on victims� computers warning them about serious technical problems with their device including the presence of malware infection.
Victims were then advised to call a helpline to gain assistance and were charged a premium fee for the fix and ongoing support. Victims were then made to pay this fee online or over the phone, meaning their financial details were shared with criminals.
On September 17, officers from the CBI conducted raids on 10 premises based on this information across six Indian cities. Some home addresses of people associated with the various companies were also visited. � PTI
