ED raids Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Mumbai in fake tech support scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday, October 7, carried out search operations at 15 locations across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Haryana and Mumbai as part of an ongoing probe into a major tech support scam, according to Zee Business sources. The action, launched by the ED's Delhi Zonal Office-I under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), follows several FIRs registered by the Delhi Police against Karan Verma and others accused of running a cross-border cyber fraud network.

Fake call centres targeting foreign nationals

Investigators found that the accused were operating multiple fake call centres from Rohini, Paschim Vihar and Rajouri Garden in Delhi, sources reported. The centres allegedly targeted foreign nationals by pretending to be customer support representatives of reputed global companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Charles Schwab Financial Services.

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Officials said the fraudsters also posed as police or investigating officers to pressure victims into paying money. They allegedly threatened foreign nationals with arrest or legal action, using fear to extort large sums. The money was then routed through digital channels to hide its origin.

Money trail leads to crypto transactions worth millions

According to sources, the Enforcement Directorate has found that much of the extorted money was converted into cryptocurrency and gift cards before being moved to the accused and their associates in India. The crypto wallets linked to the network reportedly handled transactions worth several million US dollars, investigators said.

The agency is now analysing these digital wallets and financial records to identify both domestic and international beneficiaries of the scam. Officials added that the raids were aimed at collecting digital evidence, transaction data and documents to strengthen the money laundering case.

Wider crackdown on cyber-enabled financial crimes

The ongoing searches are part of the ED’s broader drive against cyber fraud targeting foreign citizens. Officials said several people are under the scanner for their suspected roles in organising or benefiting from the scam, which the agency believes spans multiple states and countries.