According to sources, the names of several officers surfaced during the interrogation of Vishal Yadav, identified as one of the masterminds behind the fake call center operation scam. Yadav is currently lodged in Yerwada jail.
Yadav allegedly revealed to investigators that certain promoted IPS officers, elevated from the state cadre, provided protection to these call centres in exchange for monthly payments ranging between Rs 50 to 55 lakh. The CBI reportedly recovered digital evidence linked to commission transactions, and several hawala operators have also been identified in connection with the case.
A top IPS officer familiar with the investigation acknowledged that informal reports of police involvement have surfaced, but stressed that the state police headquarters has not yet received any formal communication from the CBI’s Economic Offences Branch (EOB). “The CBI will not act solely on an accused’s testimony. The agency will first examine the suspected role of officials in maintaining links with the syndicate, its handlers, and the wider protection network, including payment trails, benami transactions, and courier channels, before naming officials formally,” the official, who requested anonymity, told *The Free Press Journal*.
### Involvement Across Ranks
According to sources, the CBI investigation has revealed a network of IPS officers along with Superintendents of Police (SPs) and several junior officers ranging from Police Inspectors (PIs) to Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs). This coordinated battalion reportedly played an active role in providing protection and logistical support to the racket.
These officers allegedly acted as intermediaries across Palghar, Mira Road, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, and rural Nashik. Their duties included handling money transactions, relaying instructions, and shielding the syndicate from external scrutiny. In some cases, other agencies preparing to raid suspected call centres found their operations compromised due to officers tipping off the operators. This enabled temporary suspension of activities or relocation to another region, allowing the racket to resume under the protection of different officials.
A key aspect of the case is the alleged involvement of officers from senior IPS ranks down to constables within a coordinated, corporate-style structure. This network reportedly maintained an internal “crisis management team” led by SP-rank officers and extending to local crime branch units and station-level officials. This structure allegedly ensured rapid responses to enforcement actions, safeguarding the multi-crore operation.
### Arrests and Evidence
Vishal Yadav, along with five other accused, was arrested by the CBI on August 8. Yadav is identified as one of the masterminds, while co-accused Sandeep Singh remains absconding. Singh was earlier arrested by the Alibaug Police in a similar illegal call centre case and had been out on bail.
During a CBI search of Yadav’s Goregaon residence on August 9, officials recovered approximately Rs 1.2 crore in cash and 600 grams of gold jewellery. Authorities confirmed that Yadav had parked the illegally extorted money in Mumbai and other locations through mule accounts, cryptocurrency, and cash. This is reportedly not Yadav’s first involvement in such illegal activities, indicating a pattern of organized cyber fraud operations.
### Modus Operandi and Syndicate Structure
Investigations reveal that Yadav is in contact with other key co-accused who finance and manage the call centre. In criminal conspiracy with Sandeep Singh and others, he ran the illegal Igatpuri call centre, impersonating Amazon support staff to make phishing and deceptive calls that defrauded foreign nationals.
Yadav reportedly provided all logistical support and recruited operators, including dialers, verifiers, and closers, while Singh played a central role in financing and coordinating operations. Investigators allege both were assisted by unknown public servants in banks to open and operate mule accounts.
Approximately 100 technical devices, including laptops, mobiles, and network equipment, were reportedly provided by Yadav and Singh for the scam.
### Alleged Police Protection and Financial Channels
The investigation has also highlighted the alleged involvement of IPS officers in shielding the syndicate. Authorities revealed that the racket reportedly routed protection money to IPS officers, from senior ranks down to lower-level officials, through angadiya networks — informal courier services.
These couriers ensured funds collected from the call centre operations reached the officers who were allegedly providing protection and shielding the racket from enforcement actions. Investigators are currently examining these channels to establish the full extent of financial linkages between the syndicate and the police network.
### Next Steps
An official explained that once the Director General (DG) office establishment receives formal communication from the CBI, the case will be handed over to the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for further investigation.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/several-ips-officers-under-cbi-lens-in-igatpuri-fake-call-centre-probe
