The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Jaipur): The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Jaipur Zonal Office, has successfully apprehended Rafiq Khan, a key suspect in a major fake call center operation aimed at swindling US citizens by offering fraudulent loans at low-interest rates. Khan was caught at Jaipur Airport attempting to escape to Sharjah, UAE, marking a significant breakthrough in the case.
This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, following several FIRs lodged by the Rajasthan Police, Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and Special Operations Group (SOG) in Jaipur. These complaints under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Information Technology (Amended) Act, 2008, highlight the extensive nature of the scam.
The ED’s investigation uncovered a meticulously organized scheme by the accused to deceive foreign nationals. The culprits established virtual call centers and bank accounts in the USA, which were operated from various Indian locations including Jaipur, Mohali, and Mathura. The ill-gotten gains were then funneled through multiple Indian and international bank accounts associated with the accused and their shell companies. The ultimate goal was to launder the proceeds of crime by investing them in real estate, thereby legitimizing the wealth.
Prior to Khan’s capture, the ED’s Jaipur Zonal Office had already secured the arrests of three individuals connected to this case: Shahanawaz Ahmed Jeelani, Vipin Kumar Sharma, and Viraj Singh Kuntal, all of whom are currently under judicial custody. This latest arrest marks the fourth in the ongoing investigation.
A Prosecution Complaint was filed by the Directorate on 24th August 2023, signaling the ED’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in this elaborate scheme. The case continues to unfold as the ED presses forward with its investigation to uncover the full extent of the fraud and bring all perpetrators to justice.