In a dramatic crackdown in May 2025, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate accused of scamming Japanese citizens through fake tech support calls.
The scam, designed with cruel precision, led victims to believe their computers were infected with viruses—only to be coerced into paying vast sums to criminal accounts in India.
The Sting That Hooked Thousands
Victims across Japan received alarming pop-up alerts on their computers, warning of virus infections or malware threats.
A phone number was displayed, urging them to call immediately for help. Unbeknownst to them, this number connected to a call center in India, where operators impersonated Microsoft or Apple support staff.
Using a mixture of fake technical jargon and psychological manipulation known as social engineering, the fraudsters convinced many that urgent payment was necessary to “fix” the problem.
One victim from Japan recounted the harrowing experience:
“A voice on the phone told me my computer was severely infected. They sounded professional but I became suspicious when they asked for payments through strange channels. I felt helpless and scared.”
The suspects exploited the trust of innocent people by using sophisticated AI-generated pop-ups and multilingual scripts, including Japanese with unnatural accents, often overhearing Hindi in the background.
Between April and July 2024 alone, over ₹1.2 crore (around 20.3 million Japanese Yen) was extorted from victims.
The CBI Raids: Operation Chakra V
On May 28, 2025, the CBI launched coordinated raids at 19 locations across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Six accused individuals, including operators from Uttar Pradesh cities like Varanasi and Ayodhya, were arrested.
Key mastermind Dwibendu Moharana was apprehended at Bhubaneswar airport after months on the run.
CBI officials detailed the crackdown:
“This syndicate used a mixture of technical deception and psychological manipulation to defraud Japanese citizens. They operated fake call centers impersonating reputed multinational tech support teams,” said a senior investigating officer.
“Thanks to close cooperation with Japanese authorities and technology companies like Microsoft, we have gathered solid digital evidence to arrest the culprits and dismantle the infrastructure.”
More than 94 malicious URLs traced to Indian IP addresses were generating deceptive pop-ups in Japanese, funneling victims into fake support schemes. The syndicate cleverly used ‘mule accounts’ and complex money laundering channels to hide criminal proceeds.
The Human Cost and Lessons to Learn
This scam left victims emotionally and financially devastated. Many reported feelings of betrayal and insecurity towards technology that once helped them connect with the world. As one victim lamented:
“I never thought such fraud could happen to me from so far away. It taught me to be cautious of unexpected alerts and calls.”
How to Protect Yourself from Tech Support Scams
Experts advise the following to avoid falling prey to similar scams:
- Never trust unsolicited pop-up virus alerts or phone calls claiming to be tech support.
- Do not share personal or financial information over unexpected calls.
- Verify the legitimacy of support services by contacting official company websites or known customer service numbers.
- Avoid transferring money to unknown or suspicious accounts.
- Install reputable antivirus software and keep it updated.
- Report any suspicious calls or messages to local authorities immediately.
We have seen the rise of OTP based scams and email scams are on the rise in the last few years. You must exercise caution.
The CBI’s crackdown in May 2025 on this India-based tech support scam ring highlights the global nature of cybercrime and the importance of international cooperation. Awareness and vigilance remain the best defenses against such deceptive tactics.