Alert: Indian-American Scams Thousands – Follow These 5 Tips to Avoid Being a Victim

Manoj Yadav, an Indian American, is being charged with wire fraud for his involvement in a scam that targeted more than 7,000 people and resulted in a loss of $13 million. Yadav tricked victims into thinking they were interacting with a reputable tech support company associated with a well-known IT firm. The FBI emphasizes the gravity of this matter, as it carries a possible prison sentence of 20 years and substantial fines. The FBI also draws attention to the significant rise in tech support scams. For more details on the case, refer to the key points disclosed by PTI.

Yadav has been arrested in New Jersey in the US on charges of tech support scam.

• The scam targeted more than 7,000 victims and defrauded them of more than $13 million.
• Yadav appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jose R. Almonte in Newark federal court and is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
• The scam involved misleading victims into believing they were dealing with a legitimate technology support company affiliated with a major software company.
• Scammers claimed to provide technical support for software problems and then charged victims exorbitant fees for unauthorized support services.
• FBI Special Agent James E Dennehy stated that Yadav tricked software users into paying for services that were free from the software company.
• A charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• Tech support scams are on the rise, and scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their methods.
• Yadav and his co-conspirators, many of whom were based in India, posed as a technology support firm affiliated with a major US business and accounting software company.
• The scammers operated under a variety of fraudulent business names and used deceptive tactics to extort money from victims, ultimately diverting millions of dollars to their co-conspirators.

It is very important to protect yourself from such scams. Here are five important steps to keep in mind:

1. Stay alert: Check, check, check. Don’t take it for granted that the person on the end of the phone line you’re talking to is a company executive. Always check their claims. Ultimately, what you do to avoid these scams will determine whether or not you fall victim.

2. Never Click on Unknown Links: If you receive any unexpected emails or messages that seem unusual, be careful. Be skeptical of them. Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources. These can lead you to potentially malicious websites or downloads and also remove any apps the scammers have asked you to install immediately.

3. Protect personal information: Never give out important information to unknown callers, especially if they ask for it over the phone or text.

4. Verify requests: Always verify requests, especially if they contain sensitive actions or information. If in doubt, contact the organization or individual directly in a trusted manner to confirm the legitimacy of the request.

5. Act fast: If you suspect a scam or phishing attempt, act fast. Apply all security updates as soon as they are available, change your password.

Staying safe from such scams requires you to exercise all caution. By taking these steps, you can minimize your chances of falling victim to online scams.