MUMBAI
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has dismantled two illegal call centres in Nashik, Maharashtra, accused of defrauding citizens in the United Kingdom by impersonating insurance agents and government officials. Operating under the name Swagan Business Solutions, the centres reportedly tricked victims into sharing financial details and paying for fake insurance policies.
The CBI said that the proceeds from these fraudulent activities were routed through PayPal and various banking channels controlled by the accused. Investigators conducted raids in Nashik and Kalyan (Thane), seizing crucial digital evidence, including victim data, fake insurance policy scripts, eight mobile phones, eight computer systems, servers, and Rs 5 lakh in cash.
The case, registered on September 11, targets four primary suspects, unidentified public servants, and others allegedly involved in running the scam. Around 60 employees reportedly used Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), spoofed phone numbers, and forged documents to mislead UK nationals into believing the legitimacy of their claims.
Two suspects, identified as Ganesh and Shyam Kamankar, were arrested on September 13 and produced before the Special CBI Court in Thane. They were remanded to police custody until September 15, with further investigations ongoing to identify additional accomplices and recover misappropriated funds.
This development marks a significant step in the CBI’s crackdown on cross-border online fraud targeting foreign citizens. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious of unsolicited calls and verify the credentials of any purported government or insurance representatives before sharing personal or financial information. The investigation highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber-enabled financial scams and reinforces the need for vigilance in both domestic and international financial transactions.
