The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Palghar Police has busted a fake call center operating in the city and arrested five people. This gang was allegedly targeting foreign nationals for online fraud. The action was taken at around 12 midnight on Monday (February 23) on the third floor of the ‘Fiya Ekant’ building located near Sundaram School.
According to the police, the raid was conducted after receiving information amid increasing complaints of illegal activities in Sundaram area. Several electronic devices used in cyber crimes were seized from the spot, which included 4 laptops, 12 mobile phones, 4 headphones, 1 router and 1 dongle.
The five accused arrested by the police have been identified as Bharat Lalani (35), Rohit Nimbalkar (29), Rohit Jhone (23), Amardeep Gill (24), Sagar Pathadia (29).
Preliminary investigation has revealed that this gang used to deceive foreign nationals on the pretext of technical assistance or other pretexts and cheat them of money. Police are currently trying to find out how wide the scope of this network was and how many people were targeted.
After this action, the discussion regarding possible allegations of protection has intensified at the local level. In September 2025, the CBI had raided a similar fake call center operating at Rain Forest Hotel in Igatpuri. In that case, two suspects from Mira-Bhayandar had allegedly admitted that they used to give bribes to senior officials to run their business in Raigarh and Palghar districts.
After these incidents, a demand is being raised whether this call center caught in Palghar was also getting protection from some higher level. However, the police have not yet issued any official statement in this regard.
LCB has said that a detailed investigation of the case is underway and more revelations may emerge after forensic examination of the digital devices. Police say that strict action against cyber crime will continue and the culprits will be punished as per law.
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