ED Smashes Rs 261-Crore US Fake Call Centre Scam: 4 More Arrested
Enforcement Directorate arrests four more suspects in a massive Rs 261-crore fake call centre scam targeting US nationals using forged government documents.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has tightened the noose around an international syndicate operating a massive US fake call centre scam, arresting four more individuals in connection with a money laundering case involving approximately Rs 261 crore. With these latest arrests, the total number of people apprehended in this sophisticated fraud operation has risen to seven.
The four newly arrested suspects—Harshil Nayanbhai Raval, Jaswant Singh, Chetan Munjal, and Pranav Pithadia—were taken into custody on November 3 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Following their arrest, they were produced before the Special Court (PMLA) at Nampally in Hyderabad, which has remanded all four to judicial custody.
The Scale of the Fraud: Millions Siphoned
According to the ED, the syndicate managed to fleece US nationals of roughly US$27.39 million (approximately Rs 261 crore). This staggering sum was collected through 927 approved transactions between July 2025 and September 2026. The criminals used a diverse array of methods to move the stolen funds, including:
- Direct bank transfers and cash pick-ups.
- Courier parcels containing cash and gold.
- Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) and gift cards.
These latest arrests follow the earlier apprehension of Vikas Nimar on July 27, Tarachand Nimar on August 5, and Mohd Irfan Ansari on August 10, all of whom are currently lodged in the Central Prison, Chanchalguda, Hyderabad.
Inside the "Calling Floors": How the Scam Worked
The ED's investigation uncovered a highly organised operation with calling floors based in India. The syndicate employed staff in specific roles, including "dialers," "bankers," and "closers," to execute their plan. The modus operandi was designed to instill fear and urgency in the victims:
The Deception Strategy
The scammers contacted US nationals, claiming there were fraudulent purchases or suspicious charges on their accounts. To make the threats believable, the callers impersonated high-ranking officials from prestigious US agencies, such as:
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
- The Department of Justice.
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- The Department of the Treasury.
To intimidate victims—many of whom were elderly—the syndicate used forged identity cards, official-looking badges, fake court documents, and fraudulent letters to threaten legal action if money was not paid immediately.
The Digital Trail and Evidence
A breakthrough occurred on September 15, when the ED conducted raids at four premises across Patiala, Pune, and Chandigarh. During these searches, officials discovered three operational fake call centres—two in Patiala and one in Pune—where approximately 220 people were found working at the time.
The agency seized a wealth of digital evidence, including 79 devices (65 mobile phones, 13 laptops/computers, and one data storage disk). Forensic analysis of these devices revealed:
- Victim Data: 549 US nationals were identified as victims, and 6,463 US telephone numbers were found in the calling logs.
- Personal Information: Social Security Numbers of 140 US nationals, along with their addresses, dates of birth, and photographs of driver's licences.
- Bank Details: Information on 397 US bank accounts across 15 different banks, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Lead Bank, Column N.A., and Thread Bank. These accounts belonged to "money mules," victims whose accounts were hijacked, or synthetic identities.
- Forged Documents: Fake US Court of Appeals orders, asset forfeiture notices, Treasury assurance letters, and notices of seizure.
Money Laundering via Global Channels
The investigation revealed that the "proceeds of crime" did not stay in one place. Once the victims handed over cash, gold, or gift cards, the syndicate converted the funds into Indian currency using cryptocurrency and hawala channels. The money was then routed through international accounts in Dubai and Hong Kong to mask the trail.