The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Monday dismantled an illegal call centre operating from Raza Arcade near Baloch Colony Bridge, Sharea Faisal, Karachi.
Three men were arrested – owner Sunil Slalmat (owner), and partners Shane Saleem and Eris Jawaid – during a raid. The FIR registered against the suspects says that during the course of the inquiry a NCCIA team conducted a raid at 1st floor, Flat M3, Raza Arcade, and carried out an inspection of the premises, during which the team met the three suspects.
The digital devices available there were initially examined. This analysis revealed their involvement in illegal financial fraud activities. Spoofing software used in the commission of such crimes was also found, along with data pertaining to financial institutions and banking information of foreign nationals. The suspects stated that all data related to the foreign nationals’ bank accounts had been provided by the owner of the call center.
The team, along with the seized devices and the alleged persons, returned to NCCIA Karachi Police Station. The initial examination of the devices established that the accused were involved in making fraudulent calls through spoofing dialers, impersonating themselves as representatives of foreign banks to carry out unauthorized and illegal transfers of funds, as well as extracting personal and sensitive information for their wrongful gain without the knowledge or consent of foreign cardholders.
The agents obtained social security numbers, cell phone numbers, dates of birth, and mother’s maiden names by posing as bank representatives. After securing confidential details pertaining to bank accounts and credit cards, these details were then shared with the owner of the call center which is then forwarded to the merchants i.e Amir Javed and Tariq Ashraf for unauthorized financial transactions.
It has been established that Sunil Salamat, Shane Saleem and Eris Jawed, son of Jawed Khushi, Tariq Ashraf, Malik Asif, Amir Javed and others intentionally committed the offences punishable under sections 3, 4, 13, 14, 16 & 26 of Peca r/w sections 34 and 109 of the PPC.
