Yankees ‘fined’ for immigration violations

The Thane police has stumbled upon a second modus-operandi with which employees of the eight call centres under its scanner had allegedly duped US citizens including American-Indians. The police is in receipt of eight complaints from US citizens according to which the accused extorted money from them in the name of that country’s immigration authority, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a part of US’s Department of Homeland Security.

A complainant, who is an Indian staying in the US, said the accused had extorted $1,500 (around Rs 1 lakh) from her by accusing her of violating immigration rules. The Asian Age has a copy of the complaint. The accused call centre employees are so far known to have contacted US citizens in the name of their tax authority, Internal Revenue Service. The complainant, Khushboo Bansal, who stays in Las Vegas, sent an e- mail to a Thane police officer on Saturday complaining about the fraud.

“I received a call from 1800-375-5283 on September 19 claiming to be immigration officer from USCIS He said I am under a strict protocol and I cannot speak to anybody during the call,” Ms Bansal’s complaint read.

“He asked me all my personal details like passport, visa and told me that I have a criminal case pending against me back in India.”

The caller threatened her that she could be “deported, put behind the bars for 72 hours or write an apology letter.” He then convinced her to go to the nearest Walmart store and buy a $1,500 Apple Itunes card after which a number would be generated, which she must give to the “police officer” who would be visiting her place.

Meanwhile, Shahagir Thakkar, one of the kingpins of the scam, who operated from Ahmedabad, is learnt to have fled to Dubai, UAE.