ED arrests four in alleged fake call centre racket targeting US residents
The Enforcement Directorate's Hyderabad office arrested four people on 3 November 2026 in a money laundering case it says involves a fake call centre that cheated US residents.
Key points
- The ED's Hyderabad office arrested four accused under the PMLA on 3 November 2026, taking the total arrests in the case to seven.
- The ED alleges seized devices record 927 collections of about US$ 27.39 million, or about Rs 261 crore, from July 2025 to September 2026.
- A special PMLA court in Nampally, Hyderabad remanded the four to judicial custody; the ED says its investigation is continuing.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested four people under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case it says involves a fake call centre that cheated residents of the United States. The ED's Hyderabad office made the arrests on 3 November 2026, and the Special Court (PMLA) in Nampally, Hyderabad remanded all four to judicial custody, according to an ED release dated 4 November 2026.
What Happened
The ED said three others were arrested in the same case in July and August 2026, taking the total to seven. Its searches on 15 September 2026 at four premises in Patiala, Pune and Chandigarh found three live call centres with about 220 people working, the agency said.
According to the ED, callers posed as officers of US agencies such as the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, used forged identity cards and court documents and threatened victims, many elderly, into handing over cash and gold, wiring money to mule accounts and buying gift cards. The ED alleges the money was brought to India through cryptocurrency, hawala channels and accounts in Dubai and Hong Kong.
The ED said WhatsApp groups on seized devices record 927 approved collections of about US$ 27.39 million (about Rs 261 crore) between July 2025 and September 2026. It said it has so far identified 549 US nationals as victims and found 397 US bank accounts used to receive money. The agency alleges one of the arrested managed the Patiala calling floors, one kept the master accounts, one coordinated cash pick-ups and one, a partner in a restaurant business, received part of the proceeds.
These are allegations, not findings of guilt; the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, and due process continues.
What It Means
The case shows how impersonation scams work: a caller claims to be an official, says your account is linked to a crime, and demands secrecy and money to keep your savings safe. No genuine agency asks you to move money or buy gift cards over the phone. If you receive such a call or lose money, report it at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call the helpline 1930.
This report describes enforcement actions and allegations on the public record, attributed to the officials cited. An order, FIR or chargesheet is not a conviction; parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Named in this report, or spotted an error? Corrections and responses: editor@oquilia.com. We correct errors promptly and record responses from named parties.
Sources & Citations
- Enforcement Directorate press release — Enforcement Directorate