15 indicted in multi-million dollar call centre scam in US

As many as 15 people, including Indian-origin, and five India-based businesses were indicted on Friday in the multi-million dollar call centre scam which defrauded thousands of US citizens of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Seven persons were arrested in the US on Thursday for their alleged involvement in scam that victimised over 2,000 American nationals, resulting in over $5.5 million in losses.

Mohamed Kazim Momin, Palak Kumar Patel, Mohmed Sozab Momin, Rodrigo LeonCastillo, Devin Bradford Pope, Nicholas Alezander Deane, Drue Kyle Riggins, and Jantz Parrish Miller were arrested and arraigned on Friday, officials said.

Seven defendants and five call centres in India were also charged for their alleged involvement, they added.

“This indictment and yesterday's arrests demonstrate our commitment to identifying and prosecuting those who hide behind these types of phone scams,” said US Attorney Byung J Pak.

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, J Russell George said: “This indictment makes clear that the IRS impersonation scam has risen to a new level, with indictments against five call centres and seven co-conspirators in India who allegedly directed their employees to participate in the scam.”

The Inspector General also noted that since 2013, the IRS impersonation scam has been on a relentless path, claiming more than 14,000 victims.