Gujarat Police bust illegal call centre targeting foreign nationals

Naroda Police in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, have dismantled an illegal call centre accused of running a loan settlement scam targeting foreign nationals. The operation, allegedly led by Jignesh Zalavar, involved individuals posing as bank lawyers to offer reduced loan settlement rates to victims.

According to investigators, Zalavar obtained lead data on foreign nationals via Microsoft Teams. Once contact was established, the group allegedly persuaded victims to provide credit card details under the guise of facilitating settlements. These details were then reportedly sent to vendors via WhatsApp and Telegram to facilitate unauthorized withdrawals.

Authorities arrested seven individuals, including five men and two women. The suspects include Zalavar and six others identified as data entry handlers. Police seized electronic equipment worth approximately Rs 2.60 lakh, including seven laptops and eight mobile phones. Investigations revealed that roughly 50 per cent of the scam proceeds were received through Bitcoin, with the remainder collected in cash via hawala channels.