Ahmedabad, Nov 21 (NationPress) The Vadodara police have dismantled a significant interstate cyber fraud operation that preyed on American citizens from a bungalow located in Talsat village, as reported on Friday.

Following specific intelligence, a police unit conducted a raid on Vintage Bungalow number 51, which served as a central hub for various illicit call centres scattered throughout India.

Investigators revealed that the perpetrators purchased personal information of US citizens for merely Rs 80–90 per entry. They subsequently sent text messages promising loan approvals in exchange for a 30 percent commission, while also issuing threats under the guise of the FBI.

The criminals took advantage of a loophole in US banking regulations that temporarily credits failed transactions after KYC, persuading victims to deposit funds onto prepaid cards, officials stated.

The capital was then converted into rupees and funneled back to India via the Angadiya network.

Three principal suspects have been apprehended: Arun Rawat, Sneh Mukund Patel, and Ansh Hitesh Panchal, and have been placed under a four-day remand.

Initial investigations suggest that over 80 American nationals have fallen victim to this scheme thus far.

According to Mayur Singh Rajput, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) in Vadodara, the network of this scam extended beyond the city limits.

"The operation here was the collection point for several call centres across the country. The methods utilized were astonishing in their precision," he remarked, noting that the fraudsters sent targeted offers based on victims' CIBIL-like credit scores and collected credit card information through specialized groups.

During the investigation, authorities uncovered numerous Telegram channels designed to orchestrate the fraud, including groups labeled AK-47 Backup (US), Dollar Riches, Mr. Work, Super Salesman, and Ammu, each handling aspects like data extraction, loan processing, credit card details, currency conversion, and wallet transfers.

Law enforcement has compiled substantial digital evidence and is pursuing additional suspects.

The details of the case will also be forwarded to the FBI, which is expected to initiate parallel investigations into the fraud's US component.

This international cybercrime operation, which siphoned funds from unsuspecting Americans to India, is now under thorough investigation by the Vadodara authorities.