The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a parallel investigation into a recently uncovered fake call centre scam operating in Pune’s Kharadi area. This operation involved significant financial transactions conducted through cryptocurrencies and online gift cards.Officials from the crime branch, which is managing the primary investigation, confirmed that the ED has obtained copies of the FIR and other essential documents related to the case. A senior officer stated, “We have also informed the Intelligence Bureau, as the operation had financial connections both within India and abroad.”The illegal call centre was dismantled during a midnight raid on May 23-24, resulting in the arrest of 123 individuals, including 12 women.
Investigations revealed that 118 call centre employees were impersonating officials from US law enforcement agencies, intimidating American citizens with threats of digital arrests related to fabricated drug or fraud cases. Through these threats, they extorted millions of dollars from their victims.On May 24, five key suspects were arrested: Sarjitsingh Girawatsingh Shekhawat (26), Abhishekh Ajaykumar Pande (29), Shrimay Paresh Shah (31), Laxman Amarsingh Shekhawat (28), and Aron Arumugan Christian (29).
All five have been residing in Kharadi for the past year but originally hail from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan and Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Police identified them as the main operators of the illegal enterprise, and a manhunt is currently underway for three additional suspects, including two primary individuals.The FIR includes the names of all 118 call centre executives. A crime branch official revealed that the operation was generating between $30,000 and $40,000 per day, prompting the ED to launch its own investigation.
Authorities have seized numerous pen drives and electronic devices from the homes of the arrested individuals, along with details of certain bank accounts to trace the financial trail.Further investigations indicated that the call centre obtained personal data of US citizens, which is suspected to have been purchased via the dark web to avoid detection by authorities. “We believe the accused were buying data from sources abroad,” stated another officer. Additionally, written scripts used by the call centre employees to deceive victims have been recovered.The illegal operation had been functioning since July 2024, and notably, the rental agreement for the premises was signed in Jaipur, Rajasthan, suggesting a broader interstate network behind the scam.
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