Ahmedabad: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Hyderabad Zonal Office, recently conducted search operations at six premises in Ahmedabad in connection with an investigation into large-scale illegal call centre operations involved in cheating foreign nationals, primarily citizens of the United States.

The raids were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on FIRs registered by the Cyberabad Police as well as the CBI, IOD, New Delhi, relating to organised cyber fraud and impersonation.

The investigation revealed that illegal call centres were established and operated by several accused persons, Mohammed Ansari alias Mohd Irfan Ansari, Akib Gulamrasul Ghanchi, Vikas K. Nimar, Divyang Raval, and Pradip V. Rathod, along with their associates. Call centres functioning from different locations were controlled by the same group using common technical infrastructure, trained manpower, call scripts, and a centralised money-handling mechanism.

Further findings indicated that the operators impersonated officials of U.S. government agencies or representatives of private companies and intimidated victims by falsely alleging non-payment of loan dues, tax liabilities, or pending legal action, thereby coercing them into purchasing gift cards or making digital payments. The proceeds of crime generated through this method were primarily received via Amazon gift cards and subsequently redeemed and converted into cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, through online platforms such as Paxful and other illegal channels, with the involvement of foreign nationals in facilitating conversion and liquidation. Only a small portion of the proceeds passed through Indian banking channels, while the majority was handled through cash and cryptocurrency and encashed via informal routes, including hawala operators and local black markets.

During the searches, cryptocurrency worth approximately USD 12,000 was recovered from one of the key accused, Akib Ghanchi, and seized before being transferred to the ED’s crypto wallet. Unaccounted cash amounting to ₹13.5 lakh was also found and seized. The operations further led to the recovery of incriminating documents and digital devices containing crucial evidence. Additionally, 31 bank accounts and one bank locker belonging to the accused and their entities were frozen.

The searches revealed that the accused had been engaged in such criminal 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 using the proceeds of crime. It was also found that the cartel remains actively involved in similar fraudulent activities using the same modus operandi. Further investigation is underway.