Microsoft has announced a partnership with Amazon and India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to disrupt several tech support fraud-related crimes across Indian cities. Microsoft wants to fix this problem because it's a costly industry-wide problem.
The illegal call centers raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation were set up to pose as customer support for Microsoft and Amazon. Microsoft said it is targeting more than 2,000 customers of the two tech giants in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Spain and the United Kingdom.
This is the first time Microsoft and Amazon have teamed up to combat tech support fraud. They said such cooperation is important to create a more secure online ecosystem and help protect more customers.
Microsoft said criminal elements operating such businesses will continue to grow and try to defraud customers. Microsoft has committed to working with Amazon and other international law enforcement agencies to share information and resources to combat illegal activity.
Microsoft's efforts have so far resulted in raids on more than 30 call centers and the arrest of more than 100 people. To help boost those numbers even further, Microsoft is inviting other companies in the industry to help fight criminals.
Microsoft said the department responsible for the operation was its Digital Crimes Unit (DCU). DCU works with law enforcement to enhance products and services to combat fraud and educate customers about fraud and how to identify, avoid and report it.
In terms of actual issues to be aware of, Microsoft says it never sends unsolicited emails or calls asking for personal or financial information, or to provide technical support to fix your computer. If you need help, you must proactively contact Microsoft, and you should be suspicious of unsolicited messages.
learn more:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2023/10/19/microsoft-amazon-tech-support-fraud-india/