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.”  

Mumbai, Oct 14: Indian stock markets opened higher on Tuesday as investors looked past global uncertainties caused by the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, while also tracking quarterly earnings from Indian companies.

The Sensex began the day at 82,562, gaining 235 points or 0.29 per cent. Similarly, the Nifty opened at 25,283, up 55 points or 0.22 per cent.

Among the top performers on the Sensex were HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Tata Steel, Infosys, Bharat Electronics, Bajaj Finserv, Ultratech Cement, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Larsen & Toubro, which rose up to 1.3 per cent.

On the other hand, stocks like Eicher Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Axis Bank, Sun Pharma, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance, and Bharti Airtel witnessed early losses.

In the broader market, both the Nifty MidCap and Nifty SmallCap indices were trading in the green, rising 0.37 per cent and 0.38 per cent, respectively.

Among sectoral indices, the Nifty Metal index led the gains with a 1 per cent rise, supported by positive momentum in metal stocks.

Meanwhile, the Nifty Pharma index was the biggest laggard, slipping 0.37 per cent.

As per the experts, IT stocks, particularly the largecaps, are viewed as overvalued by the market since they are facing many headwinds and some strong structural issues.

“On the other hand PSU stocks have been trading at very low valuations despite decent growth and robust balance sheets. This anomaly in valuations have been corrected by the market. This trend is likely to continue,” market experts said.

‘However, in growth stocks like digital companies and renewable energy, their long-term growth potential will continue to attract investment despite high valuations,” they added.

With Muhurat trading approaching, there is room for a mild rally, according to analysts.

Mumbai: Just days after the much-hyped inauguration of the final phase of Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commuters continue to face a major challenge lack of mobile network connectivity across key underground stations on the newly opened stretch.

The issue, first reported by the media, has left thousands of daily passengers frustrated particularly between Acharya Atre Chowk and Cuffe Parade, where users report zero cellular signal, making it impossible to make calls, send messages, or complete digital UPI payments.

Following the inauguration, the daily ridership of Line 3 crossed 1.5 lakh, but the network dead zones have become a persistent concern.

“We’re trying our best. BSNL has been onboarded and is expected to provide connectivity soon,” said Ashwini Bhide, Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC).

For many commuters, the lack of mobile signal has turned a state-of-the-art metro into a daily struggle.

“I rely entirely on UPI and didn’t carry cash. I had to step out and find an ATM just to get a ticket,” said Manoj Shinde, an accountant working in South Mumbai. “In this age, it’s unacceptable to not have basic mobile connectivity in a city like Mumbai.”

Commuter Vineeta Singh, who boarded from Churchgate, shared a similar frustration. “It’s ironic that we’re encouraged to go cashless, but the system forces us to carry cash. I had to run up to the road level to find a shop willing to provide change for ₹500,” she said.

Patchy Wi-Fi Fails to Fill the Gap

While MMRC claims to provide free Wi-Fi at underground stations to mitigate the issue, passengers say the service is unreliable. Many commuters report that devices either fail to detect the Wi-Fi or cannot complete the mandatory OTP login since the process itself requires mobile network access.

“I always have to ensure my UPI app’s QR code scanner is open before entering the station. Otherwise, I’d have to climb back up to get signal. The Wi-Fi is patchy, and you still need a network for OTP, so it’s a dead end,” said Kunal Sharma, a regular commuter.

Frequent traveler Suhasini Deshpande, who commutes between Worli and Vidhan Bhavan, described the situation vividly:
“As soon as the train stops at a station in South Mumbai and the doors open, people quickly start checking their phones because the moment the train starts moving again, the network disappears.”

The lack of connectivity has disrupted basic services across all major telecom networks, affecting calls, mobile data, and digital transactions essential elements of daily urban life.

According to sources, BSNL users are likely to start receiving network coverage soon in the newly opened phase. However, other telecom operators have yet to cooperate fully with MMRC on the network upgradation plan, meaning users of private carriers may have to wait longer.

Transport experts say while minor glitches are expected in large-scale infrastructure projects, basic connectivity should have been ensured before the official launch.

“The incident highlights the critical need for robust telecom infrastructure in underground transit systems,” said one expert, adding that reliable mobile connectivity is now a non-negotiable aspect of modern public transport.