How Did the U.S. Embassy Praise Gujarat Police for Their Action Against Cross-Border Scams?

Ahmedabad, Aug 6 (NationPress) The Gujarat Police have adeptly taken down an illicit call center based in the Hansol locality of Ahmedabad, which was deceiving American citizens through a false loan scheme. This commendable action has received accolades from the United States (US), underscoring the strengthening collaboration between Indian and American law enforcement in the fight against cybercrime.

In response to this significant development, the U.S. Embassy in India released a statement commending the Gujarat Police for their prompt and effective measures.

“By confiscating evidence and formally charging those involved with crimes such as cheating and criminal conspiracy, the authorities have delivered a strong warning against cybercrime,” the statement remarked.

“The United States and India are dedicated to taking resolute action against entities that jeopardize public safety and security,” it continued.

The call center, which masqueraded as a legitimate enterprise, was allegedly involved in tricking U.S. citizens by presenting bogus loan schemes and extracting personal data and funds under deceitful pretenses.

Following intelligence reports, police executed a raid and apprehended two individuals linked to the operation.

Authorities also recovered digital evidence including laptops, mobile phones, and call logs, indicating a systematic effort to defraud individuals abroad.

The apprehended individuals have been charged with various crimes, including cheating and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

Ongoing investigations aim to identify additional members of the syndicate and assess the financial impact caused.

This incident occurs amid a rising trend of cross-border cybercrime incidents, where fraudsters from multiple countries exploit vulnerable populations through advanced social engineering tactics.

Experts emphasize that collaborative policing, information-sharing, and more stringent enforcement measures are vital in addressing such global threats.

According to U.S. government statistics, over 90,000 Indians were detained at U.S. borders during the fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023–September 30, 2024), with nearly half originating from Gujarat, highlighting a notably strong regional presence.

In the initial months of 2025 (January–May), 10,382 Indian nationals — predominantly Gujaratis — were intercepted while attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, marking a remarkable 70 percent decline from the same timeframe in 2024.

Among those who sought asylum, Gujaratis accounted for a substantial fraction: from 41,330 asylum applicants in 2023, around 5,430 Gujaratis were granted refuge, representing about 13 percent of Gujarat’s total applicants.

These statistics emphasize how Gujarat contributes disproportionately to illegal crossings and asylum requests, despite Indians as a whole comprising only about 3 percent of total U.S. border apprehensions in recent times.