Investigating agencies have arrested Lakhan Jaiprakash Jagwani, the key accused in an alleged transnational cyber fraud racket that targeted US nationals through illegal call centres operating in and around Delhi and Noida. Officials said the network impersonated US government agencies and allegedly defrauded victims of nearly 8.5 million US dollars, equivalent to about ₹70 crore.
Fake Call Centres Posed as US Agencies
The accused, who had been absconding for a long period, was arrested from Delhi on May 13. Investigators said he played a central role in setting up and running the network, which functioned through multiple illegal call centres.
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The case was originally registered in December 2025, after which coordinated raids were carried out at several locations. During the operations, authorities uncovered a large call centre network that had reportedly been active since 2022.
According to investigators, the syndicate posed as officials of US agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Social Security Administration. Victims were allegedly contacted through VoIP calls and emails and threatened with fake legal action, arrests and financial penalties.
₹70 Crore Fraud Under Investigation
Officials said the gang used fear and urgency to pressure victims into transferring money. The alleged fraud amount is estimated at around 8.5 million US dollars, or nearly ₹70 crore.
During the raids, investigators recovered cash, electronic devices and key documents. These materials are being examined to understand the financial and operational structure of the racket.
Preliminary findings suggest that the group had a structured setup, with different teams handling data sourcing, fraudulent calls and financial transfers. Investigators are also examining the possible use of cryptocurrency wallets and offshore banking systems to hide the money trail.
Agencies Probe Wider International Links
Authorities believe the racket was not limited to India and may have been connected to a broader global cybercrime ecosystem. The network is suspected to have involved coordinated roles across multiple locations and jurisdictions.
The interrogation of the accused is continuing, with agencies working to identify others involved in calling operations, data acquisition, document fabrication and laundering of proceeds. Cybersecurity agencies across jurisdictions have reportedly been alerted as similar fraud models continue to emerge globally.
Officials have advised citizens not to respond to unsolicited calls or messages claiming urgent legal or financial action. They emphasized that legitimate government agencies do not demand money or threaten people over phone calls. Further investigation is underway, and authorities expect more arrests and financial details to emerge as the full structure of the syndicate is traced.
