Navi Mumbai Police Bust Fake Call Centre Targeting US Citizens; 13 Detained, 255 SIM Cards Seized

On August 18, 2026, the Navi Mumbai Police Cyber Cell successfully dismantled a fraudulent international call center operating out of Mahape MIDC, targeting US citizens through a complex cyber fraud scheme. Thirteen individuals, comprising a manager, three team leaders, and nine call agents, were apprehended during the operation.

The police seized an estimated Rs 5.03 lakh worth of USDT cryptocurrency, alongside 255 SIM cards, two servers, two SIM boxes, and various office equipment. The investigation was initiated following a tip-off and was led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Vishal Hire and Senior Police Inspector Vishal Patil. The accused were reportedly impersonating Apple technical support representatives and bank officials to gain the confidence of their targets.

They allegedly threatened victims with potential financial losses and coerced them into transferring funds to cryptocurrency wallets or purchasing Apple gift cards. The gang reportedly sent fake messages to Apple users in the US, stating that $499 had been deducted from their accounts, and instructed victims to call a provided number if they had not authorized the transaction.

Once connected, the calls were allegedly routed through the call center via an app, with calls introduced as being from Apple technical support and then transferred to team leaders posing as bank officials. The arrested individuals have been identified, with the alleged masterminds, Mustafa Khan, his wife Zareen, and their associates Purvank Shrimali, Iggy, and Sheikh Bhai, still at large.

Police are actively searching for the fugitives and examining the digital evidence seized from the premises. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the fraud, the number of victims, and the financial transactions involved.