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ED uncovers multi-crore international call center scam, raids 10 locations, businessman under scrutiny

  • ED raids 10 locations in Kolkata and Howrah, uncovering massive international call center fraud involving cryptocurrency laundering
  • Businessman Rajesh Goenka linked to fraudulent call center, estimated 25 to 30 crore rupees embezzled
  • Investigation reveals international scope of scam, with cryptocurrency transactions used to launder defrauded funds from foreign nationals

23 Jan 2025

ED uncovers multi-crore international call center scam, raids 10 locations, businessman under scrutiny

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has carried out coordinated raids at 10 locations across Kolkata and Howrah, investigating a large-scale international call center fraud operation. The operation, which began early this morning, involved central forces and targeted multiple areas, including Baghajatin, Tollygunge, Picnic Garden, Salt Lake, Rajarhat, New Town, and Baguihati. These raids are part of a broader investigation into a call center fraud network that has allegedly been operating across the state, deceiving foreign nationals.

The fraud involved the call center offering fake software services to individuals in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the USA. According to the ED, the victims were contacted by individuals operating the call center and were convinced to make payments for software services that were never provided. The total estimated amount defrauded is between 25 to 30 crore rupees. The fraudulent funds were reportedly laundered using cryptocurrency, with the illicit transactions being conducted to disguise the flow of money and evade detection by financial institutions.

Rajesh Goenka, a businessman from Kolkata, has been identified as a key figure in the operation. Goenka is linked to VRM Business Private Limited, the company believed to have been running the fraudulent call center. The ED has conducted raids at Goenka’s residence in the Baguihati Atghara area and at his office in Salt Lake, where the company is reported to have been based. The raids are the result of months of investigation into the call center's operations. Several documents, digital records, and other pieces of evidence have been seized during the raids, which will aid in furthering the investigation.

The ED’s investigation has revealed that the call center’s operations extended beyond Kolkata, with similar fraudulent activities discovered in other parts of West Bengal. The agency is now probing the possibility that the fraud operation has spread to other states. In addition to the call center fraud, the ED is closely examining how cryptocurrency transactions were used to launder the defrauded money. According to the ED, no hawala network has been found to be involved in this case.

The investigation into the international fraud scheme is ongoing, with further raids and searches expected as more evidence is uncovered. The ED is working to identify all individuals and companies involved in the scam, and is focusing on understanding the full scale of the operations. The authorities are also examining how the fraudulent services were marketed and sold to foreign nationals, and how the funds were transferred across borders using cryptocurrency as part of the money-laundering scheme.

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ED uncovers multi-crore international call center scam
ED raids 10 locations in Kolkata and Howrah, uncovering massive international call center fraud involving cryptocurrency laundering





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