Let’s not bury the lead here: a U.S. government official is never going to call you and demand immediate payment in order to avoid deportation or arrest.
Now let’s get to the details. Basically, unsuspecting targets received a phone call stating they did not pay their taxes and would be arrested or deported if they did not make immediate payment. This complex scheme included five call centers based in India, and “runners” in the U.S. who would get the money into bank accounts.
The Justice Department announced charges against 61 defendants in the U.S. and abroad in connection with this particular scam. Charges include wire fraud, money laundering and false impersonation of an officer of the United States. The U.S. is seeking extradition of defendants in India.
So far, according to the government, at least 15,000 people have been duped into paying $300 million.
The Harris Firm urges everyone to be vigilant and on the alert for scammers. This sort of scam and others like them seem to be on the increase.
