ED and FBI Collaborate on ₹200 Crore Hyderabad Call Centre Fraud Case

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FBI Collaborates with ED on ₹200 Crore Hyderabad Call Centre Fraud Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation has coordinated with the Enforcement Directorate to investigate a Hyderabad-based call centre fraud scheme linked to alleged losses of ₹200 crore involving U.S. citizens.

FBI and ED Collaboration

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has coordinated with the Enforcement Directorate to investigate a Hyderabad-based call centre fraud scheme linked to alleged losses of ₹200 crore involving U.S. citizens. The probe focuses on financial transactions routed through cryptocurrency, hawala networks, and multiple banking accounts.

Investigation Details

FBI representatives reportedly visited the Enforcement Directorate office in Hyderabad on August 19 to exchange case-related data, including details on suspected money-laundering activities. The collaboration highlights efforts to trace illicit funds generated by the operation.

Financial Mechanisms

Investigators are examining how proceeds from the fraud were collected, transferred, and concealed through complex financial mechanisms. The Enforcement Directorate has initiated a probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, targeting the structured movement of funds.

Call Centre Fraud Tactics

The accused individuals allegedly operated call centres that deceived U.S. nationals by impersonating officials from U.S. security agencies and other governmental bodies. Victims were threatened with legal action over fabricated tax or loan-related issues, prompting them to make payments.

Key Suspects

Key suspects identified in the case include Vikas Kumar Nimar, known as Misty, his father Tarachand Nimar, and Mohammed Irfan Ansari. The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Vikas Kumar Nimar managed the fraudulent syndicate, while Tarachand Nimar, an Army pensioner, was involved in operational support. Ansari is described as the primary orchestrator of the network.

According to the agency, victims were reportedly persuaded to invest in cryptocurrency, with funds subsequently transferred to India via crypto traders, hawala operators, and angadia channels. The money was then layered through multiple bank accounts to obscure its origin.

Arrest and Revenue

Mohammed Irfan Ansari was arrested on August 10 and admitted to overseeing the call centre since 2017, generating monthly revenues of approximately USD 60,000 to USD 70,000. The investigation continues to map the financial flow and roles of individuals associated with the scheme.

International Collaboration

The involvement of the FBI underscores the international scope of the case, as both agencies analyze the targeting of U.S. citizens and the cross-border movement of illicit proceeds. The case has drawn attention to the use of impersonation tactics and financial exploitation techniques employed by organized fraud networks.