Amazon, Microsoft, and India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the country’s federal enforcement agency, have announced a major crackdown on tech support fraud.

Through their scheme, the scammers would get people to call a toll-free number to one of their call centers, take over a user’s computer remotely, convince users of the “pretense of non-existing problems,” and “make them pay hundreds of Dollars for unnecessary services” while impersonating as workers for Amazon and Microsoft.

Microsoft has a website detailing the popular versions of these scams, how to identify them, and steps on what to do if you believe you’ve been affected.

“In the wake of Operation Chakra-II, 32 mobile phones, 48 laptops / hard disks, images of two servers, 33 SIM cards, and pen drives were confiscated and numerous bank accounts were freezed.

CBI also seized a dump of 15 email accounts, illuminating the intricate web of deceit spun by the accused.”

“We firmly believe that partnerships like these are not only necessary but pivotal in creating a safer online ecosystem and in extending our protective reach to a larger number of individuals.”

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