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Igatpuri Fake Call Centre Probe: 3 IG-Rank Officers Allegedly Involved In Multi-Million Dollar Call Centre Network; Lavish Gifts, Foreign Trips Under Lens

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Mumbai: Investigations into the fake call centre network dismantled in Igatpuri on August 8 have uncovered the alleged pivotal involvement of three Inspector General (IG)-rank officers in facilitating the illegal operations across Maharashtra. The CBI Investigations reveal that of the a three IG-rank officers, two of whom share close family and business ties with their children being business partners. It is also learnt that a company jointly owned by the daughter of one of the officers and the son of another officer is engaged in the sale of home appliances and automobile repair. This one of the companies which is under the CBI’s scanner. The call centres were selling sex pills, drugs under ayurvedic names and fake Amazon gift cards and credit cards.

Investigators revealed that two key IG officers were transferred simultaneously during the statewide reshuffle of 58 IPS officers on January 31, 2024. One was earlier posted in Thane as and the other in the Kokan Range, overseeing five coastal and inland districts (Palghar, Thane Rural, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg). Both officers are alleged to have facilitated the operation of multiple fake call centres across the Thane region, Khalapur, Navi Mumbai, and Raigad.

Central agency sources said between 2021 and 2024, these two IG officers, along with a Superintendent of Police (SP) from Raigad, an Additional SP (ASP), and a Deputy SP (DYSP), maintained links with the fake call center operators through a middleman. The middleman, who also acted as a police informer, allegedly extended lavish perks, including luxury watches, gold jewellery, and international holiday trips as well as grand functions for the officers and their family members and relatives in exchange for ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the illegal call centres.

The CBI probe further revealed that three call centres operating in Khalapur and Alibag were part of the same network busted in Igatpuri on August 8. The investigation revealed that the masterminds were one Vishal Yadav, who has been arrested and Sandeep Singh aka Sandy who is absconding.

Sources indicated that the then Konkan Range officer had constituted a special squad ostensibly for crime control; however, allegations suggest that one of the officers of this squad was in fact providing security to the call centres and was paid Rs 20 lakhs per month, a part of which was shared with an IG. The second IG-rank officer posted in Nashik, is alleged to have received his personal cut directly from Sandeep Singh. Officials claim that the ASP overseeing ground-level protection reportedly receiving between Rs 20 – 25 lakh, while the SP allegedly received around Rs 25 lakh. Tensions reportedly arose when the SP demanded a higher sum for protection money.

In August 2024, an SP-led team, supported by the local Crime Branch, raided the Alibag unit at Nature’s Edge Resort, arresting 33 individuals, including fake call center kingpin Sandeep Singh. The accused allegedly defrauded U.S. citizens by posing as representatives of a pharmaceutical company, offering banned sexual stimulation drugs, and instructing victims to purchase gift cards. The funds were allegedly routed through hawala channels to the main operator, Rohit Butane. Authorities seized 32 computers, 55 mobile phones, five vehicles, and other equipment valued at approximately Rs 85.45 lakh and subsequently shut down the Alibag unit.

The central agency investigations alleged that a middleman attempted to mediate the issue between the operators and police, but the then SP reportedly refused to settle. The network led by Vishal Yadav and Sandeep Singh was not allowed to resume full operations in Alibaug. Sources indicated that the SP had been demanding a “handsome” increase in protection money for an extended period, and disagreements over the amount ultimately led to the shutdown of the call centre operations. Following this, at the SP’s directive, a new criminal cadre allegedly replaced Singh and Yadav’s network, reportedly setting up a fresh fake call centre in the same area, with each member purportedly earning between Rs 40–50 lakh per month through illegal means.

Media reached out to the SP for his comments, but he remained unresponsive to both calls and messages.

Sources further reveal that following the transfer of the two IG officers, the SP was also moved following a larger reshuffle involving 21 IPS officers in May 2025, after completing a tenure of approximately 2 years and 7 months. Using the influence of the IG officers, the SP reportedly secured a posting in western Maharashtra following which the calls centres were shifted in his jurisdiction.

The third IG officer is also under scrutiny. Sources indicate that he has alleged connections to the previous corruption and commission network, though investigators are yet to determine the full extent of his involvement.

Crime

Rs 734 crore GST scam: Jharkhand businessman, son arrested by ED sent to judicial custody

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Ranchi, Oct 2: A Special PMLA Court sent a Jamshedpur businessman and his son to judicial custody after they were arrested by the ED in a case related to a GST fraud involving approximately Rs 734 crore, said an official on Friday.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Gyanchand Jaiswal, alias Bablu Jaiswal, and his son, Raj Jaiswal, in connection with the GST fraud on September 30, an official said.

The ED interrogated the two arrested accused to gather information about the alleged fraudulent GST transactions and the associated money flow before producing them before the Special Court for custody proceedings on Thursday, an official said in a statement.

They were arrested after the ED raided several locations in Jamshedpur, Adityapur, Gamharia, and Kolkata. After conducting medical examinations, the ED team brought them to Ranchi.

The ED said that this case involves the alleged use of fake invoices to obtain input tax credit (ITC) without any actual purchase or sale of goods.

The agency is also investigating transactions made through shell companies and the associated money flow. During Wednesday’s operation, the ED searched premises linked to Gyanchand Jaiswal, as well as the premises of his auditor, Sanjay Parekh, and other individuals, officials said.

They further mentioned that the investigating team examined business documents, GST-related records, banking and financial transaction documents, and electronic devices.

This ED action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), officials said.

The investigating agency suspects that large-scale misuse of ITC was allegedly carried out through shell companies and paper transactions. The initial investigation into the case was conducted by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Jamshedpur.

The investigation revealed the misuse of ITC through shell companies and fake invoices.

According to a 2024 order of the Jharkhand High Court, Gyanchand Jaiswal was arrested in June 2024 in a case registered under the GST Act and was subsequently remanded to judicial custody.

The ED investigation has reportedly uncovered several companies and fraudulent transactions linked to this network.

The agency also took action against several other businessmen from Jamshedpur and Kolkata in connection with this case in 2025.

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Crime

Delhi Crime Branch arrests active member of Takkar gang in attempt-to-murder case

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New Delhi, Oct 2: The Delhi Police Crime Branch on Friday arrested an active member of the Takkar Gang, who had also been declared a proclaimed offender, in connection with an attempt to murder case, officials said.

The accused, identified as 30-year-old Gulam Khawaza alias Aaley, a resident of Delhi’s Dabri, was arrested by a team of the NDR/Crime Branch. He was wanted in connection with FIR No. 594/2023 registered under Sections 307 and 34 of the IPC and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act at Sagarpur Police Station.

According to police, in November 2023, Irfan was operating a Satta business in the Raghu Nagar area. Kunal, who was involved in betting with Irfan, suffered losses and was asked to clear the outstanding amount. He subsequently contacted Vicky alias Takkar, who was in jail at the time, and sought his assistance.

Police said Vicky alias Takkar then contacted his associate Gulam Khawaza alias Aaley and directed him to go to Irfan’s betting premises. Khawaza allegedly arranged a pistol and handed it over to Aman, instructing him to fire at Irfan.

On December 3, 2023, at around 8 p.m., Gulam, along with Kunal, Hemu and Aman, reached Irfan’s betting premises. Aman allegedly fired two rounds at Irfan, one of which hit his leg, while the other missed. The accused persons then fled the spot. During the investigation, all four accused were arrested by the local police and the pistol was recovered from Aman.

Police said Khawaza was granted interim bail for 14 days on medical grounds on March 25. However, he failed to surrender after the bail period expired and absconded. He subsequently left Delhi and evaded arrest by frequently changing his hideouts and concealing his identity and movements. He was declared a proclaimed offender by the court on August 5.

The Crime Branch constituted a dedicated team comprising SI Dipender Singh and Head Constables Rajbir, Ram Niwas, Parmanand, Kuldeep, and Anchal Kumar under the supervision of Inspectors Yogesh Kumar and Vinod Yadav and overall supervision of ACP Umesh Barthwal.

Based on technical surveillance and local intelligence, the team received information that Khawaza would arrive in Delhi and proceed to Anand Vihar Railway Station before going to the residence of gang leader Takkar in Sitapuri. Acting on the information, the team laid a trap at Anand Vihar Railway Station and apprehended him.

During interrogation, Khawaza disclosed his association with the Takkar Gang and its activities in Dwarka, Dabri, Uttam Nagar and adjoining areas of Haryana. He was formally arrested under Section 35(1)(D) of the BNSS and is being produced before the concerned court.

Police said Khawaza, a Delhi University graduate, has previously been involved in 11 criminal cases, including cases under the Arms Act and an attempt to murder. According to the Crime Branch, he joined the Takkar Gang after the alleged killing of his close friend Gaurav alias Kaku in 2019 and subsequently became involved in criminal activities.

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Crime

BSF thwarts infiltration bid at Punjab border, shoots two Pakistani intruders dead

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Amritsar, Oct 2: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday thwarted a major infiltration attempt across the India-Pakistan border in Punjab by neutralising two Pakistani intruders who tried to sneak into Indian territory in the state’s Tarn Taran district, officials said.

The incident occurred in the BOP Rajoke area of ​​Tarn Taran early in the day.

According to sources, the BSF troopers swung into action after noticing suspicious movement near the border and challenged the purported infiltrators.

At least three individuals were moving towards the Indian border from the Chattanwala area on the Pakistani side, the sources said, adding that they were challenged and warned against moving any further. When they did not pay any heed and kept moving towards the Indian side, the BSF personnel opened fire.

While two infiltrators were shot dead, a third one managed to run back. The identity of the neutralised Pakistani intruders is yet to be ascertained.

The dead bodies have been handed over to police for a post-mortem examination and further proceedings are underway, in close coordination with the Punjab Police.

The incident underscores the level of alertness maintained by security agencies regarding infiltration attempts along the India-Pakistan border in the Punjab sector.

The incident comes amid continued security concerns along Punjab’s 553-km-long international border with Pakistan, which has witnessed several infiltration and cross-border smuggling attempts in recent years. However, several of these were successfully foiled by the BSF jawans.

Meanwhile, Punjab Police dismantled two illegal arms and narcotics supply networks and apprehended four accused and recovered 10 kg of heroin and 10 pistols.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused are allegedly linked to foreign-based smugglers and are involved in procuring illegal weapons and narcotics, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said.

Two first information reports (FIRs) were registered in Amritsar. Further investigation is underway to uncover the complete network and establish the backward and forward linkages, he added.

In a related earlier development, Amritsar Rural Police had dismantled an illegal arms and narcotics supply network with the arrest of three people, comprising a woman, her husband and her brother. The police had recovered 10.030 kg of heroin, two sophisticated assault rifles, including an AK-47 and an AK-56, along with three magazines and 10 cartridges from their possession.

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