Archive · 30 May 2025
Multiple Cybercrimes Uncovered in Pune and Kolhapur
Some bad guys in Pune ran a fake call center and pretended to be US law enforcement to scare people in the US.
They demanded money, threatening digital arrests.
At the same time, a professor in another city was tricked out of a lot of money by people pretending to be from the government.
Another group of crooks in Pune took money from people for fake investments.
The police are now looking into all these cases to catch the bad guys and get the money back.
ED is conducting a parallel investigation into a Pune call center scam linked to cryptocurrency deals and US citizens.
A retired professor in Kolhapur was defrauded of Rs 3.6 crore in a cyber scam by impersonating officials.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Pune police has taken over an investment fraud case worth Rs 9.5 crore.
The call center executives threatened US citizens with digital arrest and extorted millions of dollars.
Police have arrested individuals in the call center and investment fraud cases.
- Who
- ED, Pune Police, cybercriminals impersonating authorities, and victims in Pune and Kolhapur, India.
- What
- A series of cybercrimes, including a fake call center extorting money, investment fraud, and a professor being duped of a large sum.
- When
- The call center was operational from July 2024, the investment fraud occurred between December 2023 and April 2024, and the professor was defrauded between April 21 and May 16, 2025.
- Where
- Kharadi (Pune), Kolhapur, and other locations related to investment schemes in Pune.
- Why
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the money trail from the call center scam. Other investigations aim to find and arrest the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds.
Perpetrators
Victims
Targeting Victims
Perpetrators
Criminals used sophisticated tactics, including impersonation, to defraud individuals.
Victims
N/A
- Type of Operation
- Multiple cybercrimes including extortion, fraud and investment scams
- Location of Incidents
- Pune and Kolhapur, India
- Total Financial Loss
- Rs 13.1 crore (approx. $1.57 million)
- Primary Agencies Involved
- ED, Pune Police EOW, Crime Branch
- Key Methods Used
- Impersonation, threats, cryptocurrency, fake schemes
