Hyderabad, February 9: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized cryptocurrency valued at approximately $12,000 and ₹1.35 million in cash during searches at six locations in Ahmedabad. This operation is part of an investigation into a large-scale illegal call center operation that targeted foreign nationals, particularly citizens of the United States.
The ED’s Hyderabad zonal office conducted the search on February 4 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. The central agency announced the operation in a press release on Monday, stating that the investigation was initiated based on an FIR filed by the Cyberabad police, along with the CBI and IOD, New Delhi, concerning organized cyber fraud and identity theft.
The investigation revealed that several individuals, including Mohammad Ansari alias Mohammad Irfan Ansari, Akib Ghulamrasool Ghanchi, Vikas Kumar, Divyang Rawal, Pradeep V. Rathod, and their associates, had established and operated illegal call centers.
According to the agency, these call centers, operating from various locations, were controlled by a single group using a common technical infrastructure, trained staff, call scripts, and a centralized money-handling system.
The investigation also uncovered that the operators of these call centers posed as officials from U.S. government agencies or representatives of private companies. They intimidated victims with false claims of loan defaults, tax liabilities, or legal actions, coercing them into purchasing gift cards or making digital payments.
The illicit funds were primarily obtained through Amazon gift cards, which were later redeemed for cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, via online platforms like Paxful and other illegal channels. Foreign nationals were also involved in converting cryptocurrency into cash. The ED’s release noted that a small portion of the criminal proceeds passed through Indian banking channels, while the majority was handled through cash and cryptocurrency, converted to cash via hawala operators and local black markets.
During the search operation, approximately $12,000 worth of cryptocurrency was found with one of the main accused, Akib Ghanchi, and was subsequently seized and transferred to the ED’s crypto wallet.
Additionally, ₹1.35 million in unaccounted cash was recovered. The search also yielded objectionable documents and digital devices containing critical data. Furthermore, 31 bank accounts and one bank locker belonging to the accused and their entities were frozen.
The investigation revealed that the accused had been involved in such criminal activities for an extended period, amassing significant assets in their names, as well as those of family members and proxies, using the proceeds of their crimes. It was also discovered that this cartel remains actively engaged in similar fraudulent activities using the same methods. The ED stated that further investigations are ongoing.
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