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The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) Hyderabad Zonal Office conducted search operations on February 4 at six premises in Ahmedabad in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to large scale illegal call centre operations, accused of cheating foreign nationals, mainly citizens of the United States.
The ED said that the investigation was initiated based on cases registered by the Cyberabad Police and the CBI IOD, New Delhi, relating to organised cyber fraud and impersonation.
According to the ED, the probe revealed that illegal call centres were established and operated by Mohammed Ansari alias Mohd Irfan Ansari, Akib Gulamrasul Ghanchi, Vikas K Nimar, Divyang Raval and Pradip V Rathod along with their associates. The call centres, operating from multiple locations, were allegedly controlled by the same group using a common technical infrastructure, trained manpower, call scripts and a centralised money handling system.
During the searches, cryptocurrency equivalent to about $12,000 was found in the possession of Akib Ghanchi and seized before being transferred to the ED’s crypto wallet. Unaccounted cash amounting to ₹13.5 lakh was also recovered and seized. Officials said incriminating documents and digital devices containing crucial data were found during the operation.
The agency stated that the operators impersonated officials of United States government agencies or representatives of private companies and intimidated victims by falsely alleging non payment of loan dues, tax liabilities or impending legal action. Victims were allegedly coerced into purchasing gift cards or making digital payments. The proceeds of crime were primarily received through Amazon gift cards and later redeemed and converted into cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, through online platforms such as Paxful and other illegal channels, with the assistance of foreign nationals. A small portion of the money was routed through Indian banking channels, while most of it was handled in cash and cryptocurrency and encashed through informal networks - including hawala operators and local black markets.
The ED further stated that 31 bank accounts and one bank locker linked to the accused and their entities were frozen. The searches indicated that the accused had been engaged in such activities for a considerable period and had accumulated substantial assets in their own names as well as in the names of family members and proxies by using the proceeds of crime. The agency added that the group was still allegedly involved in similar fraudulent activities using the same modus operandi.
Further investigation is under way.
English (US) ·