ED Raids Pune Call Centre: How a Local Operation Was Allegedly Scamming US Citizens
ED Raids Pune Call Centre: What Happened
ED Raid Pune Call Centre: On September 15, 2026, the ED’s Hyderabad Zonal Office conducted coordinated search operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) across Pune, Patiala (Punjab), and Chandigarh . In Pune, investigators uncovered a fully functional call centre where staff were actively making outbound calls to US nationals.
Around 220 people were found working across three detected call centres—one in Pune and two in Patiala—at the time of the raids . The premises were equipped with workstations, computers, headsets, mobile phones, and sophisticated networking and VoIP systems designed for large-scale calling operations .
ED Raids Pune Call Centre: Modus Operandi
According to the ED, the centres targeted US citizens by inducing them to make payments under false pretexts. The operation followed a structured, multi-layered approach.
The scheme began with potential victims’ data obtained from data suppliers and call-blast vendors who sent bulk spam emails containing a toll-free number to resolve a fabricated issue . When victims called back, an “opener” would receive the call and gain their confidence. Once the victim showed concern, the call was transferred to a “closer” who created urgency or fear by impersonating officials from banks, government agencies, or reputed companies . Victims were then convinced to purchase gift cards or make payments through gift cards, cash, gold, or other means—either collected directly or via courier.
A “banker” within the operation would then guide the victim through the payment process, collect gift-card details, and arrange for redemption . The gift cards were subsequently converted into Bitcoin or USDT, while USD and gold were sold in local markets in the USA and later converted into cash or bank credits through crypto traders, hawala operators, and accommodation-entry providers.
The agency seized 66 mobile phones, 13 laptops, hard disks, communication equipment, cash, and records . Investigators are now examining calling scripts, dialler systems, victim data, payment trails, and the flow of funds generated through the alleged fraud . Key individuals linked to the operations, including those coordinating from Chandigarh, are under scrutiny .
Why ED Raids Pune Call Centre Matters
Pune, with its large IT and BPO ecosystem, has repeatedly faced scrutiny over illegal call centres that exploit the city’s skilled English-speaking workforce and infrastructure. This latest raid highlights how such operations can hide in plain sight, changing locations frequently to evade detection, and operate as part of multi-city networks .
The case underscores ongoing challenges for law enforcement in tackling cross-border cyber-enabled financial fraud. While many legitimate BPO and call centre jobs drive Pune’s economy, these shadow operations damage the city’s reputation and put ordinary workers at risk of legal consequences when the facilities are busted.
The ED Raids Pune Call Centre operation has also revealed the scale of the syndicate. Officials are tracing the money trail across multiple states and examining the role of crypto traders and hawala operators involved in converting the fraud proceeds.
ED Raids Pune Call Centre: Current Status
The ED continues to verify the roles of the individuals found at the centres, map the money trail, and identify the masterminds controlling the syndicate. The investigation remains active, with digital evidence and financial records expected to form the core of further action under PMLA .
This story serves as a stark reminder that even as Pune celebrates tradition and community, parallel issues of cybercrime and organised fraud continue to demand attention. Authorities have signalled that such operations will face sustained pressure, reinforcing the need for stronger monitoring of the city’s booming call centre sector.
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