By | Gitanjali Thorat
Nashik: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the multi-crore fake call centre scam in Igatpuri has opened up a major controversy in Maharashtra police circles. Several IPS officers are now under the scanner for allegedly safeguarding the racket, which duped foreign nationals on a massive scale.
🟡 Fraud With Global Reach
The illegal call centre, operating out of a luxury resort in Igatpuri, lured unsuspecting citizens in the US, Canada, and other countries by pretending to be Amazon’s technical support. Victims were manipulated into parting with money through cryptocurrency channels and gift cards.
🟡 Protection for Cash
During questioning, arrested mastermind Vishal Yadav allegedly revealed that senior IPS officers and their subordinates provided protection in exchange for hefty “monthly payments” of ₹50–55 lakh. The CBI is said to have uncovered financial trails, including hawala transfers and benami accounts, that point to systemic police involvement.
🟡 Organised Police Nexus
Investigators believe the racket thrived because of a highly organised protection network within the police.
From IPS ranks to constables, multiple levels of officers reportedly played a role.
SP-rank officials allegedly coordinated a crisis management team to counter enforcement threats.
In some instances, raids planned by other agencies were reportedly foiled due to police tip-offs.
🟡 Arrests and Evidence
On August 8, the CBI arrested Yadav along with five associates. His close aide, Sandeep Singh—earlier caught in a similar case—remains on the run. Raids at Yadav’s Goregaon flat led to the seizure of ₹1.2 crore in cash, 600 grams of gold, and electronic devices believed to have been used in the scam.
🟡 Wider Network Under Scrutiny
The CBI suspects that protection money moved through angadiya couriers to senior officers. Sources say mule accounts and crypto wallets were used to launder the proceeds, making the racket harder to trace.
🟡 Officers Response
A senior officer from Maharashtra Police headquarters, while admitting that “names have been heard informally,” clarified that the state police has not yet received an official CBI communication. The officer added that the central agency will act only after corroborating financial trails and digital evidence.
🟡 Part of a Larger Cybercrime Web
Authorities note that this is not Yadav’s first brush with cyber fraud. His repeated role in call centre scams suggests a larger network of organised crime targeting foreign nationals.
