ED Conducts Major Raids in Ahmedabad Over International Call Centre Fraud
In a significant crackdown on financial crime, sleuths from the Directorate of Enforcement's Hyderabad zonal office executed coordinated raids at six locations in Ahmedabad on February 4. The operation targeted a sophisticated call centre racket accused of defrauding foreign nationals, predominantly citizens of the United States.
Seizures and Legal Framework
According to an official release from the ED, the raids resulted in the seizure of multiple items, including cryptocurrency wallets and a substantial amount of cash. The action was initiated based on First Information Reports filed by the Cyberabad Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation in New Delhi, operating under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002.
Modus Operandi of the Fraudulent Operation
The ED investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of deception. Operators at these illegal call centres impersonated US government officials or representatives of private companies. They intimidated victims by making false allegations regarding loan repayment defaults, tax liabilities, or impending legal actions. This coercion forced the targets into purchasing gift cards or making digital payments under duress.
The release detailed: "ED investigation revealed illegal call centres were established and operated by several accused persons, viz Mohammed Ansari alias Mohd Irfan Ansari, Akib Gulamrasul Ghanchi, Vikas K Nimar, Divyang Raval, and Pradip V Rathod, along with their associates."
These call centres, operating from various locations, were centrally controlled by the same criminal group. They utilized a common technical infrastructure, trained manpower, standardized call scripts, and a centralized mechanism for handling illicit funds.
Cryptocurrency Conversion and Money Trail
The proceeds of crime were primarily received through Amazon gift cards. These were subsequently redeemed and converted into cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, via online platforms such as Paxful and other illegal channels. Foreign nationals were reportedly involved in facilitating the conversion and liquidation of the cryptocurrency, adding an international dimension to the scheme.
Investigators discovered cryptocurrency equivalent to $12,000 in the possession of one of the key accused, Akib Ghanchi. This digital asset was seized and transferred to the ED's official crypto wallet for safekeeping and further analysis.
Additional Seizures and Asset Freezing
Beyond the cryptocurrency, the raids led to the recovery of unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 13.5 lakh. Incriminating documents and digital devices containing crucial evidence were also seized. In a decisive move to disrupt the financial network, the ED froze 31 bank accounts and a bank locker belonging to the accused individuals and their associated entities.
Long-Term Criminal Activities and Ongoing Threats
The search operations revealed that the accused had been engaged in these criminal activities for a considerable period. They had accumulated substantial assets in their own names, as well as in the names of family members and proxies, by utilizing the proceeds of crime. Alarmingly, the investigation indicated that the cartel remains actively involved in similar fraudulent activities, continuing to employ the same modus operandi. Further investigation is currently in progress to dismantle the entire network and bring all perpetrators to justice.
