Mohali: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches at eight locations across India in connection with an alleged fake call centre fraud and money laundering case involving foreign nationals. The ED’s Chandigarh Zonal Office searched premises in Chandigarh, Mohali and Madhya Pradesh. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the searches resulted in the recovery of around ₹20 lakh in cash, digital devices and other material.
The searches were conducted at premises associated with Vijay Raj Kapuria, Varinder Raj, M/s Infimum Enterprises LLP and other individuals and entities allegedly linked to the case. The agency is examining digital devices, documents and financial records recovered during the searches to trace the alleged operation of the fake call centre and the movement of its suspected proceeds.
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Alleged Call Centre Operating From Mohali Sector 108
The ED investigation stems from an FIR registered at Sohana police station in Mohali and a subsequent charge sheet filed by the Punjab Police. According to the investigation, an alleged illegal call centre was being operated from Plot No. 29, Emaar, Sector 108, Mohali.
The operation allegedly targeted foreign nationals and generated money through fraudulent means. The ED is now examining how the alleged call centre operated, who was involved in the network and which bank accounts and entities were allegedly used to transfer and layer the suspected proceeds.
Alleged Money Trail Through PayPal, Bitcoin and Hawala
The investigation has allegedly revealed that the suspected fraud proceeds were transferred through multiple channels. These included online payment platforms such as PayPal and Stripe, banking channels, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency transactions, as well as hawala networks.
Investigators suspect that the funds were moved through multiple layers to conceal their original source and the identities of the ultimate beneficiaries. According to sources, some of the alleged proceeds were subsequently routed to accounts linked to fake or shell companies registered in the United States.
The ED is examining the financial transactions to determine how the money moved between different entities and whether the transactions were structured to disguise proceeds generated through the alleged fraud.
Infimum Enterprises LLP Account Under Scrutiny
The bank account of M/s Infimum Enterprises LLP has also come under the agency’s scrutiny. According to information emerging from the investigation, the account allegedly received funds directly from several suspicious foreign entities believed to have been used as shell companies.
The agency is examining the actual ownership and business activities of these foreign entities and whether they had legitimate commercial operations. Bank statements, international payment records, cryptocurrency transactions and alleged hawala links are being analysed to reconstruct the suspected money trail.
Digital Evidence Could Reveal Network
Mobile phones, computers, other digital devices and documents recovered during the searches could provide important leads in the investigation. The ED is expected to examine the devices for evidence related to the alleged operation of the call centre, communications with foreign nationals, payment records and links with other individuals and entities under investigation.
The agency’s focus is now on identifying the alleged ultimate beneficiaries of the suspected proceeds and determining whether the money was layered or routed through multiple entities to make it appear legitimate.
The searches across eight locations could potentially widen the scope of the investigation if the agency finds additional financial or digital links.
Fake call centre operations targeting foreign nationals often rely on impersonation, deceptive technical support claims, banking-related assistance or threats of government action to extract money or sensitive information. In this case, the ED is examining the scale of the alleged operation from Mohali and how the suspected proceeds were moved through domestic and international financial channels.
The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against the individuals and entities involved remain subject to the outcome of the probe and applicable legal proceedings.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
