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New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has uncovered three operational call centres in Patiala and Pune that were allegedly being used to target US citizens through fraudulent phone calls and deceptive payment demands.

The searches were carried out on September 15 at four locations across Patiala, Pune and Chandigarh as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged international fake call centre network. According to the agency, around 220 people were found working at the three centres when the search teams arrived.

The operation has brought renewed attention to the growing problem of cross-border cyber fraud, where victims in one country can be targeted by organised groups operating from another.

Three Operational Call Centres Detected

According to the Enforcement Directorate, two of the alleged call centres were operating in Patiala while another was located in Pune.

Investigators said the premises were equipped with workstations, computers, headsets, mobile phones and networking equipment. The employees working there are now being identified and their individual roles and reporting structures are being examined.

The presence of a large number of workers at the locations has also prompted investigators to examine how the alleged operation was organised and managed.

US Citizens Allegedly Targeted Through Phone Calls

The agency has alleged that the call centres were contacting people in the United States and attempting to persuade them to make payments by using false reasons.

Investigators are examining the information recovered from mobile phones and computers to understand how the alleged operation functioned and how communications with potential victims were managed.

The investigation is also looking into the financial side of the alleged network, including how money received from victims may have been handled and transferred.

At this stage, the allegations made during the investigation have not been established as proven criminal conduct against every individual found at the premises.

220 People Found Working at the Centres

One of the notable aspects of the searches was the number of people present at the alleged call centres.

Around 220 individuals were reportedly found working across the three locations. The agency is recording their identities, assigned responsibilities and reporting arrangements as part of the investigation.

Finding such a large workforce has raised questions about the scale and organisation of the alleged operation.

Investigators will need to establish which individuals were knowingly involved in the alleged fraudulent activities and what roles, if any, others may have performed.

66 Mobile Phones and 13 Laptops Seized

The searches also resulted in the seizure of a substantial amount of digital material.

The Enforcement Directorate said it seized 66 mobile phones and 13 laptops, along with hard disks, communication equipment, records and other material.

Digital devices can contain information that helps investigators reconstruct communications, financial connections and relationships between different people or locations involved in a suspected cybercrime network.

The seized material is now being examined as part of the continuing investigation.

Chandigarh Property Also Under Investigation

The searches were not limited to the call centre locations.

A residential property in Chandigarh was also searched because investigators suspected that it was connected to the alleged network.

According to the agency’s findings, the premises may have been used to coordinate activities associated with the call centres. Digital devices and other material were recovered during the search.

Investigators are also examining alleged financial activity connected with the conversion and movement of money generated through the suspected operation.

Investigation Into the Money Trail

The financial aspect of the case is an important part of the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation.

Authorities are examining how money allegedly obtained from victims may have moved through different accounts and channels. The investigation is also looking at possible links between the people operating the call centres and those allegedly involved in handling the proceeds.

Tracing the movement of funds can help investigators determine whether different businesses, individuals or locations were connected to the same alleged network.

The financial investigation is continuing and further details may emerge as the seized records and electronic evidence are analysed.

Why Fake Call Centre Scams Remain a Serious Threat

Fake call centre operations can make cyber fraud appear more legitimate because victims may receive calls from people who sound professional and appear to represent a company, financial institution or government-related service.

Fraudsters can use caller identification, scripted conversations and other deceptive techniques to create a sense of urgency or fear.

Victims may then be pressured into making payments or sharing sensitive information.

Cross-border operations can make these crimes more complicated because the victim, callers, financial transactions and people controlling the operation may be located in different jurisdictions.

What People Should Remember

Anyone receiving an unexpected call demanding money should stop and verify the identity of the caller before taking action.

A caller claiming that an account will be blocked, a payment is urgently required or legal action will begin should not automatically be trusted.

People should avoid sharing banking credentials, passwords, OTPs or other sensitive information with unknown callers.

If money has already been transferred as part of a suspected fraud, the incident should be reported to the appropriate authorities as quickly as possible.

Keeping call records, messages, transaction details and other relevant information can also be important when reporting suspected cyber fraud.

Role of Digital Evidence in Investigation

The seizure of dozens of mobile phones and laptops in the case highlights the importance of digital evidence in modern financial crime investigations.

Electronic records can potentially help investigators establish communication links, identify relationships between individuals, examine financial activity and reconstruct parts of an alleged operation.

A professional investigation may involve examining information from multiple sources while ensuring that evidence is handled lawfully and responsibly.

For businesses or individuals dealing with suspected fraud, identity misuse or financial deception, professional investigators and detectives may assist with lawful fact verification and evidence-related enquiries, depending on the circumstances.

What Happens Next?

The Enforcement Directorate is continuing to examine the material recovered during the searches.

Investigators are expected to verify the identities and roles of the people found working at the three centres, analyse digital devices and examine the alleged financial trail.

The agency is also looking into whether additional individuals or entities were connected with the alleged network.

Further action will depend on what investigators establish from the evidence and financial records.

Public Awareness

The case is another reminder that cyber fraud can operate on a large scale and may involve people working from seemingly ordinary commercial premises.

Consumers should remain cautious when receiving unexpected calls involving money, account problems, legal threats or urgent payment requests.

Businesses should also take care when dealing with unusual financial transactions, unknown service providers or suspicious communication networks.

Most importantly, allegations discovered during an investigation should not automatically be treated as proven facts. The final determination of criminal responsibility will depend on the evidence and the legal process.

The ED investigation into the alleged fake call centre network remains ongoing.