Delhi, 24 November (H.S.): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a key fugitive, Vikas Kumar Nimmar, who was instrumental in a transnational cybercrime syndicate that operated multiple illegal call centers to defraud citizens of the United States.

During the operation on November 20, the agency also dismantled another illicit call center run by the accused in Lucknow.The arrest is a significant development in an ongoing investigation initiated by the CBI on September 24, 2024.

Nimmar had been on the run since the agency first cracked down on the network in September of last year, shutting down four of his call centers in Pune, Hyderabad, and Visakhapatnam. These centers were allegedly operated under the banner of VC Infrometrix Pvt. Ltd.

Acting on a warrant from a Pune court, the CBI apprehended Nimmar at his Lucknow residence. A subsequent search led to the discovery of the new illegal call center, which was immediately shut down. The agency seized 52 laptops containing substantial digital evidence, along with ₹14 lakh in cash and multiple mobile phones from the premises.

The syndicate allegedly targeted US nationals through various sophisticated methods, including technology-enabled fraud and deceptive calls, convincing victims to part with their money. The CBI has stated that its investigation is continuing, with a focus on examining the recovered digital evidence to unravel the full extent of the international network. The agency is also working in close coordination with international law enforcement bodies to trace global collaborators and identify victims overseas.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar