Fake Apple Tech-Support Scam Exposed; Fraud Network Spanned All The Way To The US

New Delhi: The Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of the West District Police has busted an alleged international cyber-fraud network that scammed individuals in the US by posing as Apple and iOS technical support. Acting against an alleged fake technical support call center operating in Naraina Industrial Area Phase-2, the police arrested seven accused persons, including the call center owner and his partner.

West District DCP Hareshwar V. Swami stated that the accused would call US citizens using toll-free numbers and pose as employees of an Apple/iOS technical support center. They would then intimidate victims by claiming that viruses, malware, or obscene content had been detected on their mobile phones or computers. Under the pretext of resolving these alleged technical issues, they would persuade the victims to purchase gift cards. The gift card codes were then obtained and passed on to other associates linked to the network.

Operation Launched Based on Intelligence

According to the police, Sub-Inspector Gajendra Mathur received information on September 25 that a suspicious international tech-support fraud call center named "Weptra" was operating from the third floor of building B-68/1B in Naraina Industrial Area Phase-2. Taking the information seriously, the AATS/West team initiated action.

Inspector Mukesh Kumar, In-charge of AATS/West, led the operation. The team conducted a raid at the specified location under the supervision of ACP (Operations, West District) Rajesh Kumar and the overall supervision of DCP (West District) Hareshwar V. Swami. During the operation, the call center's owner, Arun, his partner Salim, and five alleged callers were apprehended. Police stated that at the time of the raid, the accused were communicating with individuals in the US using laptops and headphones, allegedly employing various English aliases.

The game of fear began with a phone call

Preliminary investigations suggest the accused employed a highly organized modus operandi. They would call individuals in the US, initially assuring them they were providing technical support for Apple or iOS devices. They would then claim that a virus or malware had been detected on the victim's device or that objectionable content was present in the system. This tactic was allegedly used to instill a fear requiring immediate action. Subsequently, victims were asked to purchase gift cards to resolve the issue. Once the gift cards were purchased, the codes were obtained and allegedly passed on to other associates within the network.

Suspicious software and US phone records found on laptops

According to the police, a preliminary examination of the laptops recovered from the scene revealed software such as Eyebeam, UltraViewer, and AnyDesk. Additionally, call logs involving US-based numbers were found on the devices. The police are now conducting a detailed forensic analysis of the digital equipment to uncover the full operational details of the alleged network and identify other individuals involved.

Large quantity of items seized, including an Audi car

During the operation, the police recovered five laptops, 12 mobile phones, two routers, six headsets, 10 credit/debit cards, and five chequebooks. An Audi A3 35 TDI car and its key were also seized. Seven Accused in Police Custody

The arrested individuals have been identified as Arun (29) of Kakrola, Delhi; call center owner Salim (28) of Kakrola; partner Nikhil (30) of Kakrola; Montu Singh (34) of Pitampura; Tirhuchu's son (26) of Kishangarh; Karan (28) of Uttam Nagar; and Vishal (29) of Sagarpur.

Case Registered at Naraina Police Station

An FIR (No. 279/2026) was registered at Naraina Police Station on September 26, 2026, under Sections 318(4), 319(2), 61(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Section 66D of the Information Technology Act. The police are now working to determine the source of the toll-free numbers used by the call center, identify the suppliers of these numbers, ascertain the number of people contacted, trace the method used to transfer the proceeds from gift cards, and identify all individuals involved in this alleged network.

Digital Evidence to Reveal Further Details of the Network

Investigating agencies are examining the seized laptops and mobile phones, while also scrutinizing call records, gift card transactions, and the financial network involved. The police state that the specific role of each accused is being investigated, and efforts are underway to identify others linked to this network. This operation by the West District Police has once again demonstrated that the web of cyber fraud is no longer limited to simple phone calls; instead, attempts are being made to target people internationally under the guise of technical support. Following the action in Naraina, the investigation is now focused on the entire network through which fraudulent calls were allegedly being routed as far as the United States.