Archive · 24 Aug 2026
ED Searches Eight Premises in Alleged Fake Tech-Support Scam
Indian investigators are looking into a suspected fake computer-support business.
The business allegedly contacted people in the United States and Canada using false pop-ups and phone calls.
The messages claimed that the victims’ computers or devices had technical problems.
Call-centre workers allegedly asked victims to give them remote access to their devices.
They then demanded money for services that investigators say were unnecessary or did not exist.
The Enforcement Directorate searched eight locations connected to the investigation.
It found cash, documents and electronic devices, and froze money in bank accounts.
Investigators are still trying to follow the money and understand who was involved.
The Enforcement Directorate searched eight premises in Chandigarh, Mohali and Madhya Pradesh on August 21.
Investigators allegedly uncovered a fake technical-support call centre targeting victims in the United States and Canada.
The searches resulted in the seizure of about Rs 20 lakh in unaccounted cash, documents and electronic devices.
Bank balances of around Rs 50 lakh were frozen during the action conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The ED is tracing alleged proceeds moved through PayPal, Stripe, banks, Bitcoin and overseas entities.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate is investigating Vijay Raj Kapuria, Varinder Raj, Infimum Enterprises LLP and associated persons and entities.
- What
- The ED searched eight premises in a money-laundering investigation into an alleged fake international technical-support operation.
- When
- The searches were conducted on August 21, and the ED issued a statement on August 24.
- Where
- The premises were in Chandigarh, Mohali and Madhya Pradesh; the alleged call centre operated from Emaar, Sector 108, Mohali.
- Why
- Investigators allege that the operation used deceptive pop-ups and bogus support calls to obtain payments from victims in the United States and Canada.
- Searches
- Eight premises were searched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
- Locations
- Chandigarh, Mohali and Madhya Pradesh.
- Cash seized
- About Rs 20 lakh in unaccounted cash.
- Bank funds frozen
- Around Rs 50 lakh.
- Alleged victims
- People in the United States and Canada.
- Alleged payment channels
- PayPal, Stripe, banking channels, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency.
- Legal origin
- The investigation followed an FIR at Police Station Sohana in Punjab’s SAS Nagar district and a subsequent Punjab Police charge-sheet.