Police bust fake-loan call centre in Pitampura

Delhi Police have busted a fake call centre operating in Pitampura and arrested 19 persons, including 12 women, for allegedly duping people across the country by posing as representatives of a private banking and financial services company and offering fake loans.

The operation was carried out jointly by the Cyber Police and Anti-Narcotics Squad of the Outer District following specific intelligence inputs about an organised fraud network targeting unsuspecting victims.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Outer Delhi, Vikram Singh, said the accused cheated victims by collecting fake processing fees and then cutting off all contact. He said the operation reflects the police’s commitment to tackling cybercrime and ensuring the safety of citizens in the digital space.

Police said the raid was conducted on April 7 after credible information was received about illegal activities at a premises in Pitampura. A police team led by the Anti-Narcotics Squad was formed.

The Cyber Police team also joined the operation. During the raid, police found 19 people engaged in making calls using mobile phones. All were apprehended on the spot. Officials said the group was actively calling people from different states and luring them with promises of loans and insurance benefits.

During interrogation, a woman acted as a team leader and revealed that the group impersonated representatives of a private banking and financial services company. They targeted victims by offering easy loans and insurance schemes. Once a person showed interest, they demanded processing fees ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000.

The payments were collected through QR codes sent via WhatsApp. After receiving the money, the accused neither provided loans nor refunded the amount. Police said the group frequently changed SIM cards and avoided calls from victims after the payment was made.

Investigators said the operation was managed by a handler based in Pitampura, who supplied lists of potential victims along with their contact details. The handler is currently absconding, and efforts are underway to trace and arrest him.

Further search of the premises led to the discovery of another room functioning as a separate call centre. A second group, led by another accused, was also operating from the same location. Police said this group followed a scripted method to trap victims.

They would introduce themselves as representatives of a private financial services company and offer loan services. After gaining trust, they would ask for Aadhaar and PAN details and then demand processing fees through QR codes. Once the payment was made, the accused would either stop responding, block the victims, or switch their phone numbers.

A case has been registered at the Cyber Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.