In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Ahmedabad police arrested a local resident in Danilimda area for allegedly operating a high-tech loan scam targeting American citizens from his Ahmedabad home. The suspect, identified as Sahil Mustaqali Mirza, 28, residing in Sridevi Park Society, Danilimda, was taken into custody on June 3 after a surveillance squad from Danilimda police carried out a raid at his residence.
According to investigators, Mirza was running an illegal call centre from his home, posing as a representative of well-known US loan providers to approach American citizens. Police said a raid on his premises led to the discovery of electronic gadgets, customer data and records believed to be linked to the fraudulent activities.
Police revealed that Mirza used company names like ‘Prosper Finance’ and ‘Lending Tree’, and employed apps such as Google Voice and TextNow to disguise his calls as originating from US-based numbers.
Victims were told that their loan applications were approved, but processing would be delayed due to low credit scores. Mirza then allegedly convinced them to pay fees and deposits—claiming these payments were necessary to secure loan disbursal.
Forged documents were sent to victims to gain their trust, police said. Payments were collected via QR codes linked to Cash App accounts or through gift cards.
During questioning, Mirza reportedly admitted sourcing victim leads through Telegram and WhatsApp. Investigators said he earned commissions on payments and worked with associates overseas.
Police seized a laptop, two Apple phones, a broadband router, headphones with a microphone, and digital records containing US citizens’ personal information. Devices reportedly held spreadsheets, notes, emails, and call records linked to the scam.
The seized equipment is valued at around ₹25,500. Authorities are analyzing the recovered digital evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case is registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and under the IT Act for cyber fraud and impersonation.
Police said investigations are ongoing to identify other suspects, trace financial flows, and establish the full extent of the alleged fraud. Links to online groups supplying victim lists and payment channels are also being probed.
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