CBI busts illegal call centre in Lucknow; key accused arrested

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a key absconding operative involved in a major transnational cybercrime network and busted an illegal call centre in Lucknow that was targeting US citizens.

The accused, Vikas Kumar Nimar, had been on the run after the CBI registered a case on September 24 last year, and carried out extensive searches across multiple locations, according to an official communique of the central investigating agency released on Tuesday.

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Earlier investigations led the agency to dismantle illegal call centres operating in Pune, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. These centres were allegedly involved in defrauding foreign nationals through sophisticated cyber-enabled schemes.

Nimar, identified as one of the main operatives, had played a crucial role in establishing and running the illegal call centres under the name VC Infometrics Pvt. Ltd. in Pune and Visakhapatnam.

Following his disappearance, the CBI had secured an arrest warrant from the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Pune.

On November 20, CBI teams apprehended Nimar from his residence in Lucknow. A search of his premises resulted in the seizure of Rs 14 lakh in cash, mobile phones, and other incriminating documents.

During the operation, the CBI also uncovered and dismantled another illegal call centre he was operating in the city. The raid led to the recovery of 52 laptops containing substantial digital evidence allegedly used in running the cybercrime operation targeting U.S. nationals.

The investigation remains ongoing. The CBI stated that, in coordination with Interpol and foreign law enforcement agencies, it is intensifying efforts to identify and dismantle organized, technology-driven criminal networks operating across borders.