CBI Arrests Key Suspects in US National Phone Scam

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CBI Makes Significant Arrest in Multimillion-Dollar Transnational Call Center Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken a major step in its ongoing investigation into a large-scale transnational cyber-enabled financial fraud case.

Key Accused Arrested

On May 13, the agency arrested Lakhan Jaiprakash Jagwani, a key accused in the case, which involved the operation of several illegal call centers that impersonated US government agencies and defrauded American nationals out of approximately $8.5 million through a combination of phone calls, emails, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications.

According to investigators, the accused persons, who were in conspiracy with one another and possibly unknown associates, assumed the identities of officials from US government agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Social Security Administration.

They then used these fake identities to contact US nationals via phone calls, emails, and VoIP communications, ultimately inducing them to part with a total of $8.5 million.

The scam was characterized by a high level of organization, relying on the use of fake official identities and cross-border communication to deceive foreign victims.

In addition to the monetary losses suffered by the victims, the scheme also highlights the potential risks posed by the misuse of official authority and the need for vigilance in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Searches Conducted and Evidence Recovered

Following the registration of the case, the CBI conducted extensive searches at various locations linked to the accused in December 2025 and discovered an illegal call center being operated by the accused at Noida.

During the search, the agency recovered and seized cash amounting to Rs 1.88 crore along with incriminating documents from the residential premises of the accused at Greater Noida.

Jagwani’s arrest marks a significant development in the investigation, although it remains unclear at present whether any further arrests or charges will follow.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of continued cooperation and collaboration between law enforcement agencies across borders to combat complex cybercrimes.