ED Finds Nearly Rs. 19 Crore in Linked Bank Accounts as Fake Call Centre Probe Expands Across Multiple Cities
The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that an international fake call centre scam routed money collected from US citizens through cryptocurrency and hawala networks before bringing it into India.
The Hyderabad zonal office traced the money trail while investigating alleged kingpin Vikas Kumar Nimar, who faces charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act after FIRs by Madhapur Police and a related CBI case.
Investigators alleged the syndicate targeted foreign nationals, mainly US citizens, through fake technical support calls between 2017 and 2024. Victims reportedly purchased gift cards after receiving false malware alerts, while operators redeemed those cards into cryptocurrency and later converted the funds into Indian currency through crypto traders, overseas wallets, hawala channels, and angadia firms.
The ED claimed the proceeds moved through multiple bank accounts linked to Nimar, relatives, associates, and intermediaries before funding businesses and purchasing properties. Officials continue tracing several crypto wallets, facilitators, and assets in India and overseas as the financial investigation expands.
According to the agency, Nimar worked with co-accused Mohammed Irfan Ansari before setting up call centres in Visakhapatnam, Lucknow, and Pune. Statements recorded under the PMLA allegedly show Nimar admitted earning income only from call centre operations during the investigation period.
The ED also alleged VC Solutions received large fund transfers without matching legitimate business activity. Investigators claimed the alleged fraud proceeds appeared in income tax filings as grocery trading and other business income to hide their origin.
Financial records identified three major bank accounts that allegedly received nearly Rs 19 crore. The ED alleged Nimar failed to explain several transactions and withheld details about cryptocurrency wallets used in the operation. The agency believes the network built a sophisticated money laundering chain that combined crypto assets with traditional hawala systems.
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