In a significant crackdown, cybercrime police raided a fraudulent call center operating in the Althan area of Surat, where callers from a firm named “Learn N Earn” were found swindling jobseekers. The callers promised courses in English speaking and personality development while guaranteeing job placements. After luring candidates, they coerced them into signing contracts and paying fees.
If candidates refused to pay the demanded Rs7,079 (Rs5,999 plus 18% GST), they received intimidating legal notices threatening action. Police arrested ten individuals during the raid, including Shaishav Chauhan, Kushal Pandey, Khushbu Bhalodiya, Mukesh Tambakuwala, Prashant Shrivas, Ashish Patel, Mayank Kumar, Shehzad Vadsariya, Ravi Sahani, and Kaushal Pandey.
The operation had been running for two years, reportedly extorting hundreds of candidates. Investigators are still searching for three additional suspects: Pravin Singh, Abhay Sharda, and Kiran Patel. Previous offenses by some of the accused under the Information Technology Act have also come to light.
Cybercrime police have charged all arrested under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act for extortion and criminal conspiracy.