Two former senior figures from a U.S.-based telecommunications firm have confessed to federal charges linked to a large-scale tech-support fraud operation orchestrated from India. This fraudulent activity targeted a vast number of American citizens over almost six years, exploiting their trust through sophisticated scams.
Adam Young, aged 42 from Miami, and Harrison Gevirtz, aged 33 from Las Vegas, were the key executives involved. Both pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, acknowledging their roles in aiding fraudulent activities. Their company was instrumental in providing essential telecommunications services that enabled the scams.
Details of the Fraudulent Operation
Between 2016 and April 2022, Young and Gevirtz’s company was a pivotal player in the tech-support fraud operations based in India. The scheme involved deceptive pop-up alerts on computers, misleading users into believing their devices were infected with malware. Victims were tricked into contacting fraudulent call centers to resolve non-existent issues.
These call centers then charged victims exorbitant fees for unnecessary or fake technical support services. In several cases, the fraudsters gained remote access to victims’ computers, extracting sensitive personal and financial information.
Involvement and Actions of Executives
Instead of preventing the illicit activities, court documents revealed that Young and Gevirtz actively assisted the scammers. They advised clients on methods to reduce fraud complaint visibility and circumvented potential service terminations. Additionally, they facilitated transactions involving fraudulent calls and specifically marketed their services to those involved in tech-support scams.
Their involvement also extended to operating their own call center in Tunisia, where employees participated in the fraudulent activities from 2016 to 2022.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Implications
The FBI initiated an investigation in 2020, leading to several convictions. Among those convicted were Indian nationals Sahil Narang, Chirag Sachdeva, Abrar Anjum, and Manish Kumar, who orchestrated telemarketing fraud targeting Americans, particularly the elderly.
Former company employee Jagmeet Singh Virk was also convicted in relation to the fraud. The FBI’s Boston Division highlighted the significant financial impact of these scams, noting that Americans lost $2.1 billion last year alone, with Rhode Island residents reporting losses of $5.7 million.
Both Young and Gevirtz are scheduled for sentencing on June 16, 2026. The penalties will be determined based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, reflecting the severity of their crimes and the extensive damage caused to countless victims.
