In a high-profile crackdown, the Anakapalli District Police have dismantled an international cybercrime syndicate based in Achyutapuram, Andhra Pradesh. The scam, which impersonated Amazon’s customer support team, targeted unsuspecting US citizens in a sophisticated multi-layered fraud operation. Authorities arrested 33 individuals during coordinated raids across three locations on May 22.

The operation, led by the Anakapalli Superintendent of Police and based on a complaint filed by a local Village Revenue Officer, exposed a deep-rooted scam network operating out of converted residential hubs outfitted as makeshift call centers.

The cybercriminals used spoofed VOIP calls to impersonate Amazon representatives, claiming the victim’s account had been compromised. Once a victim was engaged, the call would be transferred to someone posing as a bank or FTC (Federal Trade Commission) officer, who then manipulated the victim into revealing sensitive banking or personal information. The final step involved a “Closure” agent convincing the target to purchase and share gift card redemption codes, completing the theft. The syndicate then laundered the stolen money using cryptocurrency platforms and anonymous tools from the dark web.

This criminal hierarchy also featured defined job roles:

• Callers earned ₹20,000/month

• Bankers earned ₹35,000–₹40,000

• Closures received ₹50,000

• Managers earned as much as ₹75,000

Police reported that each closure agent handled multiple victims daily, leading to losses estimated in crores each month.

Two alleged masterminds, Punit Goswami from Maharashtra and Avihant Daga from Rajasthan, were apprehended and are believed to have coordinated the scam's operations. Authorities suspect more individuals, possibly operating from outside India, are involved and are currently investigating international links.

During the raids, officers seized:

• High-end computer systems and networking devices

• Rs 3 lakh in cash

• Multiple vehicles

• Household items used to convert premises into living quarters for recruits

Several people on-site were found in training, learning impersonation techniques and scam scripts designed to mislead foreign victims.

An FIR has been registered at the Achyutapuram Police Station under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Information Technology (IT) Act, and the Indian Penal Code. Charges include cheating using electronic means, criminal conspiracy, identity theft, impersonation, and engaging in organized crime.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that the scam not only inflicted severe financial harm on US citizens but also endangered India’s global reputation in cybersecurity. Authorities have pledged to trace the full digital and financial network behind the operation using cyber forensic experts and intelligence agencies. As digital fraud continues to evolve, this case stands as a stark reminder of how rapidly organized cybercrime syndicates are adapting and exploiting global systems and the pressing need for international coordination to combat them.