The FBI is shutting down a call center operation in India that was defrauding America’s seniors in the name of tech support.
The FBI in Boston announced that it has shut down a call center operation in India after busting a major racket that also involved perpetrators from the US. The call center operation defrauded hundreds of elderly victims in the United States and elsewhere of millions of dollars through tech support scams.
The FBI investigation said that two top executives from the US were part of it and, in fact, enabled it by turning a blind eye to the widespread fraud.
Who are Adam Young and Harrison Givertz? What is the scam?
Adam Young, of Florida, 42, and Harrison Gevirtz, 33, of Las Vegas, ran Ringba, which provided telecommunications-related services, including phone numbers, call routing services, call tracking, and call forwarding services, to customers they knew were involved in tech support fraud schemes.
They have now pleaded guilty to a felony, in violation of federal law. They are scheduled to be sentenced on June 16, 2026.The investigation also revealed that India-based call centers used Young and Gervitz’s work to route calls for a “tech fraud” scheme and, in some cases, advised these fraudsters on techniques aimed at reducing complaints and preventing account termination.
Indian part of the scam: Sahil Narang, Chirag Sachdeva, Abrar Anjum, Manish Kumar, Jagmeet Singh Virk
An investigation began in 2020 that led the FBI to telemarketing scammers based in India.
Indian nationals Sahil Narang, Chirag Sachdeva, Abrar Anjum, and Manish Kumar were indicted on charges related to India-based telemarketing fraud schemes that targeted Americans and defrauded them of millions of dollars, many of whom were vulnerable to fraud schemes due to age or disability. The fifth person convicted in the same scam is Jagmeet Singh Virk.
Beware! Your computer has a virus
According to court documents, from approximately 2016 through 2022, Young, Gevirtz and others knew that some of their customers were involved in tech support fraud schemes.
The schemes used deceptive pop-up messages to convince computer users that their computers were infected with viruses or malware. Victims were directed to call a phone number on the message or pop-up ad, which connected victims to call centers, where they were persuaded to pay hundreds of dollars for unnecessary or bogus technical support services.
In some cases, call center employees were able to remotely access victims’ computers and obtain personal and financial information.
Young, Givertz learned of the scam, and became part of it
From 2017 until April 2022, after learning of their clients’ fraud schemes, Young and Giffertz failed to report the schemes to law enforcement officials. According to affidavits filed with the court, the defendants received numerous complaints and inquiries from telephone service providers and law enforcement regarding customers involved in technical support scams. Despite this knowledge, they have advised some of their clients on techniques that clients can use to avoid complaints from fraud victims and prevent account termination.
Young and Giffertz helped some of these clients buy and sell fraudulent calls among themselves.Young and Gevirtz owned and operated a call center in Tunisia from 2016 until April 2022 where some employees engaged in technical support fraud.“What the CEO and CSO of this well-known call tracking and analytics company did was absolutely despicable. By their own admission, they knowingly took advantage of telemarketing and tech support scammers, here and abroad, who preyed on the elderly, exploited the vulnerable, and drained the victims of their savings and peace of mind.”
“Behind every fraudulent call was a real person feeling frightened, humiliated or financially ruined,” said Ted Eddocks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division.“Tech support scams cost Americans $2.1 billion last year, and Rhode Islanders reported losing at least $5.7 million. Let this be a warning: If you back and support these criminal networks that prey on unsuspecting consumers, the FBI will pursue you relentlessly to ensure you are held accountable for the harm you helped cause,” EDocks said.Court documents also reflect that the two former CEOs directed employees to promote their company’s services to customers involved in technical support fraud and, on occasion, introduced customers involved in the fraudulent activity with others who could support their fraudulent businesses.
