Myanmar-style cybercrime operation busted near Andhra SEZ; 100 detained

Visakhapatnam: Police have dismantled a cybercrime network allegedly modeled after operations in Myanmar and Cambodia, which operated out of multiple buildings near the Atchutapuram SEZ and industrial area in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district. The operation, which had been running for two years, resulted in the arrest of over 100 individuals, including women.

The accused were taken to an undisclosed location for questioning regarding their daily activities, recruitment processes, and operational procedures. Authorities stated that the group targeted individuals in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries.

A police official revealed that the youths were specifically recruited for their distinct English accents to deceive foreign victims. The detainees were reportedly working in what appeared to be call centres.

During the midnight raid, many workers managed to flee, taking advantage of the darkness and what was described as an insufficient police presence. This operation marked the first of its kind in the region, following four months of surveillance. The offices, spread across different buildings without signboards, were staffed by individuals from outside Andhra, mostly from northeastern states.

Many of the suspects claimed ignorance of the fraud, stating they had joined only a week earlier and were still in the “employee induction” phase. Police said they had not yet identified the kingpin. Located 80 km from Visakhapatnam, Atchutapuram has evolved into an industrial hub, featuring apartment complexes and group houses. Cops said the fraudsters carefully selected certain buildings to avoid suspicion.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspects were lured by monthly salaries ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. “We thought it was a call centre. Most of them were always on their phones, and many of the flats had computers,” a local said.

Sources identified three distinct roles among the suspects: some acted as bankers managing deposits, others handled transactions, and the rest were involved in directly defrauding foreigners.