Hyderabad: Gift card payments allegedly collected from US citizens through fake technical support call centres were converted into cryptocurrency, routed through overseas wallets and brought into India via crypto traders, hawala operators and angadia firms before being laundered through multiple bank accounts and properties, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged while detailing the money trail in the arrest of Vikas Kumar Nimar, the alleged kingpin in the international fake call centre scam case.According to the ED, the proceeds were layered through accounts linked to Nimar, members of his family, associates and intermediaries before being used to acquire assets and fund business ventures. The agency said several crypto wallets, facilitators and assets in India and abroad are still being traced.
The ED’s Hyderabad zonal office registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) based on two FIRs filed by Madhapur police on Aug 11, 2023, under IPC sections 419 and 420 and sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act. It also incorporated a CBI case registered in New Delhi on Sept 24, 2024, relating to illegal call centres targeting foreign nationals.According to the FIRs, an organised network operated fake call centres that targeted foreign nationals, particularly US citizens, by impersonating officials of govt agencies and private companies. The syndicate allegedly sourced customer data through call vendors and sent emails containing malware alerts, virus warnings and deceptive technical support messages.Victims were persuaded to call toll-free numbers controlled by the network, after which they were connected to fake call centres. Posing as customer care representatives, operators allegedly convinced victims to buy fraudulent technical support services and make payments through gift cards. These payments were later redeemed into cryptocurrency.The ED alleged that the cryptocurrency was converted into Indian currency through crypto exchanges, traders, informal cash settlement networks and banking channels before being distributed among operators and beneficiaries of the syndicate.Call centre in Vizag alsoThe ED described Nimar as one of the principal operators and beneficiaries of the network. It alleged that he worked with another accused Mohammed Irfan Ansari between 2017 and 2020 at call centres in Ahmedabad, Delhi and Noida before setting up centres in Visakhapatnam, Lucknow and Pune.In statements recorded under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Nimar allegedly admitted that his earnings between 2017 and 2024 were derived from call centre operations and that he had no other business activity during the period.The ED alleged that Nimar operated VC Solutions, whose bank accounts received funds disproportionate to any legitimate business activity identified during the investigation. Though the money was allegedly linked to call centre operations, the income was shown in income tax returns as arising from grocery trading and other businesses, the agency claimed.Statements of other accused and associates, including Ansari, Divyang Raval and Rakesh Ailani, allegedly linked Nimar to the operations. Ailani is believed to have told investigators that large amounts generated from the call centres were stored in crypto wallets maintained abroad.3 bank accounts identifiedAccording to the ED, proceeds generated through cryptocurrency or Bitcoin were allegedly encashed through crypto traders or moved through hawala channels. Angadia firms were allegedly used to transport or deliver part of the cash. The funds were then routed through multiple accounts controlled by Nimar, his family members, associates and proxies.The ED identified three key bank accounts linked to Nimar and VC Solutions. An IndusInd Bank account in Nimar’s name reportedly received credits of Rs 12.70 crore, while another account of VC Solutions received Rs 4.16 crore. A Punjab National Bank account in Nimar’s name recorded credits of Rs 2.19 crore. The ED alleged that most of the funds reached these accounts through a network of entities and individuals.The ED further alleged that proceeds were routed through accounts of Nimar’s family members and other individuals. Financial analysis showed money was often transferred on the same day or shortly after being credited, before ultimately reaching Nimar or his relatives. The funds were then allegedly used to purchase properties in their names or in the names of others.The agency also cited statements from alleged account holders and intermediaries who claimed the accounts were opened or operated on Nimar’s instructions and that the funds belonged to him and his family.The ED alleged that Nimar gave contradictory statements, failed to explain several transactions and did not disclose cryptocurrency wallets used to receive or store funds. It suspects proceeds of crime were concealed and used to acquire assets, including properties held in the names of relatives and other persons.
