Deser, Vadodara:  A fake call center operating from a farm in Vachhapur, Deser, has been exposed for running an illegal “dabba trading” (unregulated stock trading) scam. The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) raided the premises, uncovering a sophisticated operation that used the guise of “Green Stock Advisor” to deceive unsuspecting investors.

The raid revealed that bogus agents from the call center had contacted approximately 1,650 individuals using 26 different phone numbers over the past month. These agents, posing as advisors, lured victims into investing in the stock market with promises of high returns.

Modus Operandi

The operation was run by masterminds Shailesh Thakor and Anil Thakor, who recruited a team of call operators and a team handler named Hasmukh Thakor. The call operators were provided with basic keypad phones, SIM cards, and a database of potential victims. They used various fake names, such as Rahul Patel, Viren Mehta, and Yash Patel, to build trust and convince people to invest.

The team used platforms like Telegram channels and stock market apps such as Market Plus, Five Paisa, Intra Day, Front Page, Angel One, Investing.com, and Upstox to facilitate the fraudulent trading. They would offer both online and offline credit to entice victims.

Financial Transactions and Payments

The victims’ money was funneled through various bank accounts and “angadia” (informal courier) services to reach Shailesh and Anil. The call center staff received a percentage of the defrauded money, with 17% going to the staff, 20% allocated for expenses, and 10% for accounts. The remaining amount was pocketed by the masterminds.

Farm as a Front

The call center was operating from a farm owned by Jitendrasinh Parmar’s wife. Shailesh and Anil had initially rented the space under the pretext of housing employees for a cement factory, promising ₹2,000 per person for the accommodation. However, no formal rental agreement was signed, and the farm was instead used for the illegal trading operation.

Team Handler’s Recruitment

Hasmukh Thakor, the team handler, had previously worked for another similar operation. He was recruited by Shailesh and Anil and was responsible for hiring the call operators, many of whom were his relatives. This included Yogesh Thakor, Nagji Dashrath, Kismat Thakor, Ajay Thakor, and others.

Investigation and Further Action

The SMC is continuing its investigation to uncover the full extent of the scam and apprehend all those involved. The authorities are also looking into the financial trail to recover the defrauded money.

This bust highlights the growing problem of online financial fraud and the need for increased vigilance among investors. Authorities urge the public to be cautious of unsolicited investment offers and to verify the credentials of financial advisors before investing.