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Igatpuri Fake Call Centre Probe: How A Fake Call Centre Network Grew Under An IG’s Supervision, CBI Probe Reveals Shocking

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Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing a sprawling fake call centre network dismantled in Igatpuri in August 2025, which allegedly operated under the protection of an Inspector General of Police (IGP)-rank officer of the Maharashtra Police, considered one of the masterminds. The officer, with significant political clout, reportedly provided protection and logistical support to the syndicate, which allegedly had links across multiple districts and possible political backing.

Sources indicate the IG-rank officer exercised influence within the political and police hierarchy, allegedly controlling IPS postings, overseeing promotions, and directing the relocation and operations of illegal call centres. The network had a hierarchical, corporate-style structure involving officers from the IG-level oversight down to constables. It even maintained an internal “crisis management team” led by SP-rank officers and extending to local crime branch units and station-level officials. This setup allegedly ensured quick responses to enforcement actions, allowing the multi-crore operation to continue unhindered.    

Investigators believe the network first took root around 2020–21 in Palghar district, where three fake call centres allegedly operated under the shield of a senior Superintendent of Police (SP)-rank officer in areas like Saphale, Wada, and Mokhada. Each centre boasted 25-30 “desks,” with operators paying Rs 1-2 lakh per table in monthly protection fees, generating Rs 10-15 lakh daily per table through frauds peddling fake Viagra, Amazon gift cards, credit card scams, and bogus ayurvedic products.The operation relied on advanced digital tools, cloud servers, e-commerce gateways, and VPNs to target international victims. A significant portion of illicit proceeds reportedly flowed via hawala networks to senior police brass, including IG-level officials. 

The Palghar network expanded further in 2022. The officer, then a Superintendent of Police (SP) and now the IG in question, was promoted and posted as Joint Head of Law and Order in Thane, assuming a senior supervisory role. Soon after, in April 2022, a newly promoted IPS officer from Palghar, who controlled the three call centres, joined him as Additional Commissioner of Police (Addl CP) in Thane. These two senior officers, allegedly in collusion with a DCP-rank promotee IPS officer, facilitated the relocation of the Palghar network to Thane in June 2022. Operational control of the syndicate allegedly remained with the same core team,  led by absconding accused Sandeep Singh and arrested accused Vishal Yadav, both of whom were later linked to the Igatpuri call centre network busted by the CBI on August 8 this year.   

Later that year,a DCP-rank officer transferred to Mira Road allegedly shifted one Thane-based call centre to the Mira Road–Vasai–Virar (MBVV) jurisdiction. By the end of 2022, three units operated across Thane and MBVV, with senior officers allegedly collecting substantial protection payments. Sources described these relocations as strategic, designed to evade law enforcement, rather than routine precautions.   

A senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was a calculated strategy, allegedly orchestrated with the involvement of senior IPS officers. All logistical requirements for leasing premises, including forged KYC documents and advance cash rentals, were reportedly arranged through middlemen.  The officer added that this process would not have been possible without police links, particularly the blessings of senior officials. By shifting premises, changing internet providers, SIM cards, and IP addresses, the operators effectively erased digital footprints, evading law enforcement while recruiting unsuspecting employees under new identities. 

Investigation findings suggest that this syndicate of uniform and fake call centre operations allegedly generated crores of rupees annually over the past few years, functioning through a meticulously organised system of fund collection, distribution, and laundering. Lower-rank officers, identified as Khade, Patil, and Nimde, are alleged to have acted as intermediaries, collecting protection money and funneling it through hawala agents, who then reportedly routed the funds to senior officers. Both senior and junior police officers are now reportedly under CBI scrutiny.   

The network reportedly continued to operate even as senior officers changed postings. In June 2024, the senior Thane officer was promoted and transferred to Special Inspector General (IG) of Nashik Range. During his absence, the Additional CP-rank IPS officer reportedly faced challenges in managing the operations  but remained active.In May 2025, the IG-rank officer allegedly ensured the transfer of the Additional CP-rank officer from Thane to a prime position in the MBVV Commissionerate. Following this move, the Thane units were allegedly shuttered and quickly re-established in the new MBVV jurisdiction. 

  The establishment of a new fake call centre in Mira Road faced resistance from an active syndicate led by Sadik, whose network was already operational in the MBVV region, defrauding U.S. citizens. A raid on May 26, 2025 by MBVV police, dismantled Sadik’s network. Although the Additional CP’s unit continued operations briefly, it was eventually shut down due to conflicts with Sadik’s group. Despite his alleged involvement in the syndicate, the Additional CP remains in service and currently heads the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the DGP to probe a controversial custodial death (or ‘encounter killing’) case.

Central agency sources revealed that even after the IG’s promotion and transfer to Nashik, the call centre operations remained under his control. Units in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, and Karjat were managed by trusted officers under the supervision of some of his close promotee IPS officers.A few months after he assumed charge in Nashik, these call centres were allegedly shifted back to his jurisdiction, ensuring that the operations continued under his oversight, with substantial amounts of protection money reportedly collected regularly.

The CBI has seized extensive digital evidence, including call logs, server data, and financial transactions, which may establish a direct chain of command between operators and high-ranking officers. Several senior officials are under investigation. “The probe is at a critical stage,” said an official familiar with the case. “We are uncovering the anatomy of an organised racket that operated under the very noses of those meant to stop it.”  

National News

‘Shameless’: BJP on Congress ‘politicising’ Delhi blast

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New Delhi, Nov 11: A day after the terror attack near Delhi’s Red Fort, the BJP on Tuesday hit out at the “shameless” Congress for “working against national interest”, deprecating the Opposition parties’ bid to “politicise” the tragedy in which eight people were killed.

“If being shameless and working against national interest had a face, it would look exactly like the Congress,” said BJP leader Amit Malviya.

“The problem with our Opposition and the loony far-Left ecosystem is that they simply do not know how to stand with the country in times of need,” said Malviya, incharge of BJP’s National Information and Technology Department, on X.

“Soon after Pahalgam, they whined endlessly, demanding retribution. But the moment Operation Sindoor crushed terror networks, they began croaking for ‘peace’ – some even discovering newfound ancestral ties to Pakistan,” said the BJP leader.

“And now, instead of standing with India, they’re busy politicising the Delhi blast, questioning the government even as evidence points to a massive crackdown that has busted several terror modules, averted major strikes, and led to the arrest of dreaded operatives. Our intelligence agencies are hot on their heels,” he said.

Malviya said, “While top government functionaries are monitoring the situation closely and reassuring the nation, the Leader of Opposition and his sister, the second-in-command in Congress, are reportedly on yet another foreign leisure trip.”

The BJP leader’s stinging criticism of the Congress and its allies coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, while speaking in Bhutan, assured action against the conspirators behind the blast.

He stated that Indian agencies will get to the bottom of the conspiracy and assured that those behind the blast “will not be spared”.

In his remarks at Changlimethang Ground in Thimphu, PM Modi said that India and Bhutan have shared a deep spiritual and cultural bond for centuries.

He said, “Today is a very important day for Bhutan, for the Bhutanese royal family, and for all who believe in world peace. India and Bhutan have shared a deep spiritual and cultural bond for centuries. And therefore, it was India’s and my commitment to participate in this important occasion.”

“Today, I come here with a very heavy heart. The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone. I understand the grief of the affected families. Today, the entire nation stands with them. I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last night… Our agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy. The conspirators behind this will not be spared. All those responsible will be brought to justice,” he added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also chaired a meeting at his residence with top officials regarding the car blast near Red Fort Metro Station.

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Business

Tomato Prices In Mumbai Surge – Know What Are The Current Rates

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Navi Mumbai: The APMC wholesale vegetable market saw an increase in tomato prices by over 30 percent in first week of November as compared to the prices in October 2025. According to the report, prices of tomatoes in October were sold in APMC at Rs 16 -20 per kg and have now increased to Rs 20-28 per Kg.

The supply of tomatoes have also reduced on Monday, as report by Loksatta stated that only 2238 quintals of tomatoes arrived in the APMC Market.

According to the report, traders said that cold weather and imbalance production of tomatoes led to the increase in price, adding that in the last few days, the supply of goods from Nashik, Pune and Nagar areas also reduced.

According to the report, farmers have cautioned about crop damage caused by unseasonal rainfall and the current cold weather, stating that there is a significant chance that the produced crop’s flowers and buds will fall.

Several other reports added that the price of green peas, cluster beans have also gone up. Price of green peas increased to Rs 280 per kg, cluster beans reached Rs 200 per kg while that of Tinda (Indian round gourd) have rised to Rs 50 for 250 grams.

According to Regional Meteorological Center,Mumbai, the climate in Pune, Nashik is expected to see dry climate till November 15. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai scientist Shubhangi Bhute added that, “there are no signs of unseasonal rainfall currently. With the northeasterly winds prevailing, the temperature will drop. The weather will be dry and skies will be clear.”

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Crime

Uttarakhand man injured in Delhi blast was in Chandni Chowk for wedding shopping

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New Delhi, Nov 11: A young man from Gadarpur in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district was among those injured in the blast near Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station. The injured man has been identified as 28-year-old Harshul Setia.

According to information received, Harshul, son of Sanjeev Setia, is a resident of Saraswati Vihar Colony in Gadarpur. His father said that Harshul is scheduled to get married in February. He had travelled to Delhi with his mother, brother, and fiancee for wedding shopping. They were shopping in a lane opposite the blast site when a shard of glass from the explosion struck Harshul on the head.

Sanjeev Setia said he received a phone call last evening informing him about his son’s injury. He added that Harshul is now safe and in stable condition. Following the advice of security agencies, he declined to make further comments.

He said he is leaving for Delhi to bring his son and family back home. After Harshul’s discharge from LNJP Hospital, the family will return to Gadarpur, where he will introduce his son to the media.

Meanwhile, the white Hyundai i20 car that exploded on Netaji Subhash Marg in Delhi near the Red Fort was parked outside a mosque for nearly two hours before the incident, sources said.

The police managed to piece together the route of the vehicle by obtaining CCTV footage from the area.

The blast took place at around 7 p.m., the police said. The car then took a U-turn near the Old Delhi Railway Station and then headed towards Lower Subhash Marg.

The car slowed down at the traffic signal on Chhata Rail Chowk, and then the explosion occurred, the police said.

It is, however, unclear whether the explosion was meant to take place at the signal or the occupants intended to ram the car into the Red Fort, officials said.

The trail of the car’s ownership is also under investigation. It has been found that the car was sold several times.

The vehicle bore the registration number HR26CE7674. It was first registered in 2014 to one Mohammad Salman, a resident of Gurugram. Following this, the car had been sold multiple times.

Salman sold it to a person called Devender, following which it was sold to a person in Ambala.

The current owner of the car remains unknown, and investigators are working on that aspect.

The registered owner, however, is under arrest and being questioned.

Multiple agencies are working on the case.

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