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News Topical, Digital Desk : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has busted a massive cyber fraud and financial crime gang operating from Pune and Mumbai. This gang used to target foreign nationals, especially US citizens, through fake identities, phishing calls and financial fraud. The CBI on Thursday registered a case against unknown public servants of banks and four private individuals for running an illegal call center operating since January 2025 to further a well-planned criminal conspiracy.
American citizens were also cheated
The gang, in connivance with other unidentified individuals, was defrauding unsuspecting US citizens by impersonating officials from agencies such as the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and even the Indian High Commission.
Illegal call center was being operated
Under threat of legal action, victims were forced to pay amounts ranging from $500 to $3,000 via gift cards or bitcoin transfers. The fake VoIP-based calls were being made from a secretly operated illegal call center based in Pune.
Violation of RBI guidelines
It has been revealed that an estimated Rs 3-4 crore monthly illegally earned income is being legalized through accounts, cryptocurrency and hawala. It has also been revealed that these operations are supported by some unknown public and private sector bank officials who help in opening and operating fake accounts using forged KYC documents, which violates established RBI and institutional guidelines.
Payment of money through Hawala channels
The call centre employees are paid in cash through hawala channels from the US and domestic locations including Maharashtra and Gujarat. These employees live in several residential flats in Pune. The scam involves illegal acquisition of contact leads through sellers on messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal. Victims are contacted through toll-free numbers issued and circulated by these sellers, and are eventually connected to the fraudulent call centre.
CBI searches 7 locations
Following registration of the case, searches were conducted by the CBI on Thursday at 7 premises of the accused or persons connected with them including the illegal call centre operated by the accused in Pune. Various incriminating material like 27 mobile phones and 17 laptops related to cyber fraud/digital devices have been seized from the possession of the accused and their associates at the illegal call centre in Pune.
Narcotics were also confiscated
Investigation of these mobile phones and laptops revealed that these accused were using caller services available on social media platforms like Signal and WhatsApp. Apart from the above, undisclosed cash of Rs 1.60 lakh and about 150 grams of narcotics have been seized from the house of one of the accused. Investigation of the mobile phone of the accused revealed that his wallet contained crypto currency worth Rs 6.94 lakh.
3 accused arrested
During the search of the residence of another accused, cash worth Rs 9.60 lakh was recovered. Three private accused were arrested and produced before Special Judge for CBI cases, Mumbai and remanded to police custody till July 30, 2025. Further investigation in the case is underway.
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