The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Gurugram Zonal Office, carried out search operations at seven locations in Gurugram and New Delhi under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an alleged money laundering investigation related to illegal call centre scam.
ED’s probe was initiated based on an FIR registered by Central Bureau of Investigation, IOD, Delhi, under various sections of IPC, 1860 and Information Technology Act, 2000 which inter-alia alleged that unknown accused persons, in criminal conspiracy, have been operating illegal call centers from the national capital and adjoining the areas to target victims, mainly US nationals, and subjecting them to tech-fraud during November 2022 to April 2024.
ED’s investigation so far revealed that the accused persons namely Arjun Gulati, Divyansh Goel and Abhinav Kalra were allegedly involved in running an illegal call centre in Noida and Gurugram with an intent to dupe people in the guise of offering technical support.
The accused persons gained unauthorised access to their bank accounts and transferred the funds to multiple foreign bank accounts, ultimately routing funds to India through a web of transactions involving more than 200 accounts.
So far, the investigation reveals that the accused have cheated the victims to the tune of 15 Million US Dollars, starting from November 2022 to April 2024.
The searches have resulted in seizure of various incriminating documents and digital records, statements of many key persons and people involved in the cyber scam.
The modus operandi of the fraud has been recorded, and during the search proceedings, 30 bank accounts linked with the accused persons were frozen by the anti-money laundering agency.
Also, eight luxury cars and other various high valued luxury items, including watches, were seized during the search operations conducted by the agency sleuths.
It was found that the accused persons indulged in a lavish lifestyle and were residing in luxurious big houses allegedly purchased through illegally earned money via the cyber scam.
The agency claims that the accused have acquired numerous valuable assets valued at more than Rs 100 crore from the proceeds of crime.