ED busts illegal call centre, operators posed as US govt officials

ED investigation further revealed that the call centres operating from different locations were controlled by the same group using a common technical infrastructure, trained manpower, call scripts, and a centralised money-handling mechanism.

An investigation by Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s Hyderabad zonal office into large-scale illegal call centre operations revealed that the operators impersonated officials of US government agencies or representatives of private companies and intimidated victims by falsely alleging non payment of loan dues, tax liabilities or legal action, thereby coercing them into purchasing gift cards or making digital payments.

The proceeds of crime generated in this manner were primarily received through Amazon gift cards and were subsequently redeemed and converted into cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, through online platforms such as Paxful and other illegal channels, with the involvement of foreign nationals in facilitating the conversion and liquidation of the cryptocurrency.

During recent search operations in Ahmedabad, ED sleuths found cryptocurrency equivalent to USD 12,000 approximately in the possession of one of the key accused. The seized crypto currency was later transferred to ED’s crypto wallet. Further, unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 13.5 Lakh was also found and seized. ED initiated PMLA investigation on the basis of FIRs registered by Cyberabad Police as well as CBI, relating to organised cyber fraud and impersonation.

The main accused have been identified as Mohammed Ansari alias Mohd Irfan Ansari, Akib Gulamrasul Ghanchi, Vikas K Nimar, Divyang Raval and Pradip V Rathod

ED investigation further revealed that illegal call centres were established and operated by several accused persons along with their associates. Call centres operating from different locations were controlled by the same group using a common technical infrastructure, trained manpower, call scripts, and a centralised money-handling mechanism. A small fraction of the Proceeds of Crime was found to have passed through Indian banking channels, while the majority was handled through cash and cryptocurrency and encashed through informal channels including hawala operators and local black markets.

Searches also led to the recovery and seizure of incriminating documents and digital devices containing crucial data, said ED sources. Additionally, 31 bank accounts and a bank locker belonging to the accused persons and their entities were frozen.

The search operations also revealed that the accused have been engaged in such criminal activities for a considerable period of time and have accumulated substantial assets in their own names as well as in the names of their family members and proxies by utilising the proceeds of crime. It was also revealed that the cartel is still actively involved in similar fraudulent activities by adopting the same modus operandi. Further investigation is under progress.