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Scrape Timestamp (UTC): 2023-09-20 16:27:45.872
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/20/court_sentences_two_to_41/
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Robocall scammers sentenced in US after netting $1.2M via India-based call centers. Part of network of crims who used 'trickery and threats' to target elderly, says US Attorney. Two Indian nationals each received 41-month prison sentences for their involvement in $1.2 million worth of robocall scams targeting the elderly, according to the district of New Jersey’s attorney's office on Tuesday. Plantiffs Arushobike Mitra and Garbita Mitra (no relation, just coincidence) both previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud before receiving their sentences in Newark federal court. In addition to time in the clink, they were ordered to pay $835,324 in restitution and undergo three years of supervised release. The duo were US residents and allegedly part of a larger network in which India-based call centers used automated robocalls to contact US residents. After establishing contact, criminal coworkers would trick victims into sending large sums of cash via physical shipments or wire transfers to members of the network. Some of the tactics allegedly employed by the duo and their team included impersonating government officials from law enforcement or government agencies like the Social Security Administration and threatening legal or financial consequences if the victim did not comply with their demands. The scammers would also impersonate tech support to trick the victim into giving them remote access to their computers and even their bank accounts. The Mitras themselves acted as money mules, individuals that would pick up and transfer cash shipments for a cut, in Florida and New Jersey, according to the US District Court in New Jersey [PDF]. They allegedly opened bank accounts in both states between May and November 2019 to receive payments. The court determined a total of 48 victims had transferred money ranging from $9,500 to $50,000 each to make up the $1.2 million. The FCC has taken on battling both robocalls and robotexts. According to call blocking firm Robokiller, the number of robocalls Americans receive has overall been trending downward, having hit an estimated 7.46 billion in October 2022 and declined to 5.67 billion last month. However, even if the nuisances are on the decline, the firm predicts [PDF] that losses from scam robocalls in 2023 are likely to total a value near 2022's value of $65 billion.
Daily Brief Summary
Two Indian nationals, Arushobike Mitra and Garbita Mitra, living in the U.S, have been sentenced to 41-month prison terms for their roles in robocall scams that swindled $1.2m from the elderly.
They had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud prior to receiving their sentences in Newark federal court, and have been ordered to pay restitution of $835,324, as well as undergo three years of supervised release.
The accused were part of a larger network, primarily based in India, that used automated robocalls to contact and scam U.S. residents, many of whom were elderly.
These robocallers impersonated government or law enforcement officials and utilized intimidation tactics to coerce and deceive their victims into sending large sums of money. They would also pretend to be tech support agents to gain remote access to victims’ computers and bank accounts.
The Mitras functioned as "money mules," collecting and transporting cash shipments in Florida and New Jersey, and also opened bank accounts to receive fraudulent payments. 48 victims were identified as having fallen for this scam, remitting amounts between $9,500 and $50,000 each.
Despite a decline in the number of robocalls, financial losses from these scams are still expected to be in the region of 2022's $65 billion total, according to a report by call blocking firm Robokiller.