The Karnataka State Cyber Command has dismantled a network of fake call centres operating across four locations in Bengaluru, impersonating QuickBooks — the prominent US-based accounting software company — and arrested two persons for allegedly defrauding multiple American citizens. The raids, conducted on 21 May, were part of a special statewide drive against cyber fraud, according to a press note issued by Director General of Police (Cyber Command) Pronab Mohanty.

How the Fraud Operated

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, officials from the Cyber Crime Police Station (South East), supported by the Special Cyber Cell, executed coordinated raids simultaneously at the four suspected premises. The accused allegedly posed as QuickBooks representatives and approached US citizens with counterfeit tax advice, fake licensing and renewal services, and fraudulent licence keys. Victims were charged large sums under the guise of service fees and technical support charges.

Investigators noted that call centre staff used fake identities and names resembling those of US officials to establish trust before executing the fraud — a tactic increasingly common in transnational cyber scams targeting English-speaking victims abroad.

What Police Seized

During the raids, police recovered a significant cache of incriminating material allegedly used in the operation, including 44 SSDs, nine CPUs, two laptops, two mobile phones, pre-written conversation scripts, and various other electronic accessories. The volume of hardware points to a structured, scaled operation rather than an opportunistic scheme.

The Accused and Their Corporate Cover

The two arrested individuals have been identified as Prashanth, originally from Delhi, and Akash, from Uttar Pradesh. According to the Cyber Command, the accused had allegedly floated a company called 'Circle Square LLC' and routed proceeds through multiple shell companies to siphon money from US victims. Police said further investigation is underway to trace the bank accounts used for fund transfers and the manner in which the proceeds were liquidated.

Pattern of Repeat Offences in Bengaluru

This is not an isolated incident. In October 2025, 16 persons were arrested in Bengaluru for running a large-scale cyber fraud operation through a fake call centre operating under the name Cybits Solutions Pvt Ltd. In that case, the accused recruited young men and women from across India through fraudulent job postings on platforms including Work India and LinkedIn, offered them accommodation at HSR Layout and BTM Layout, and trained them for three weeks before directing them to impersonate officials from the US Border Security Force, US Postal Service, and US Customs and Border Protection.

Victims in that case were allegedly subjected to so-called 'digital arrest' — threatened with fabricated charges of drug offences and money laundering and coerced into transferring funds. The recurrence of such operations in Bengaluru's tech corridor underscores the city's growing exposure as a hub for transnational cyber fraud, critics argue.

What Comes Next

The Karnataka State Cyber Command has indicated that the investigation remains active, with focus on mapping the full financial trail — including the shell company network, overseas fund flows, and any additional operatives. Further arrests are reportedly possible as the probe widens.