NEW DELHI — The police in New Delhi say they have arrested more than 50 people involved in a call-center scheme that lured victims into thinking their assets were being frozen as part of an elaborate drug investigation. The victims were convinced they had to transfer money to the scammers or risk going to jail. According to the authorities, scammers in the plot would telephone people and tell them that their assets and bank accounts were being seized after officers from multiple law U.S. enforcement agencies found their bank account details at crime scenes involving drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia. Over 4,500 Americans fell for it, the New Delhi police said on Wednesday, and officials estimate that more than $14 million was transferred over two years. Investigators said the victims would be given a choice: Either face arrest or choose an “alternative dispute resolution” option that would allow them to avoid facing the law.

Source: New York Times December 17, 2020 14:40 UTC