CBI Dismantles £390K UK Tech Support Scam, Arrests Key Operatives in Noida

In a significant blow to transnational cybercrime, India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has dismantled a sophisticated tech support scam operation targeting citizens in the UK and Australia. The operation, dubbed Operation Chakra V, led to the arrest of key operatives and the shutdown of a fraudulent call center in Noida, which had defrauded UK victims of over £390,000.

International Collaboration Crushes Cybercrime Ring

On July 7, 2025, the CBI, in a meticulously planned operation, conducted searches at three locations in Noida, India. One of these locations was a fully operational fraudulent call center, FirstIdea, situated within the Noida Special Economic Zone. This raid was the culmination of 18 months of groundbreaking collaboration between the CBI, the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Microsoft.

Modus Operandi of the Scam

The syndicate masqueraded as technical support staff from reputable multinational companies, including Microsoft. Their primary tactic involved falsely claiming that victims' devices were compromised and then extorting money to 'fix' non-existent technical problems. The operation was highly sophisticated:

• Advanced Calling Infrastructure: FirstIdea utilized advanced calling infrastructure and malicious scripts to ensure cross-border anonymity and target victims at scale.

• Time Zone Synchronization: Raids revealed live scam calls in progress, indicating the syndicate meticulously timed their operations with the time zones of their victims.

• Spoofed Communications: Threat actors used spoofed phone numbers and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to route calls through multiple servers across various countries.

• Deceptive Pop-ups: UK victims reported receiving screen pop-ups suggesting their devices were infected or hacked, prompting them to contact the fraudsters who posed as legitimate tech support.

Key Arrests and Impact

During the raids, two individuals were arrested, including a key operative partner of FirstIdea. The CBI stated that the fraudulent scheme resulted in losses exceeding £390,000 ($525,000) in the United Kingdom alone, with over 100 UK citizens falling victim to the scam.

Key Takeaways

• The operation highlights the increasing sophistication of transnational cybercrime syndicates.

• International law enforcement collaboration is crucial in combating such widespread fraudulent activities.

• Victims are often targeted through deceptive pop-ups and social engineering tactics.

This successful operation serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of tech support scams and the importance of vigilance against unsolicited technical assistance offers. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, your security strategy must evolve to keep pace. BetterWorld Technology offers adaptive cybersecurity solutions that grow with the threat landscape, helping your business stay secure while continuing to innovate. Reach out today to schedule your personalized consultation.

Sources

• CBI Shuts Down £390K U.K. Tech Support Scam, Arrests Key Operatives in Noida Call Center, The Hacker News.