Has the ED Uncovered a Fake Microsoft Call Centre in Dehradun?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The ED has filed a charge sheet against a fake call centre in Dehradun.
- The fraudulent operation misled foreign clients into believing it was associated with Microsoft.
- Investigations revealed illegal profit routing to India.
- Provisional attachment of Rs 1.26 crore has been executed by the ED.
- The crackdown on cyber fraud reflects a commitment to consumer protection.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (NationPress) - The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted a charge sheet in a Special PMLA Court located in Dehradun, concerning a money laundering case linked to a fraudulent call centre purporting to be associated with Microsoft Corporation, as confirmed by an official on Tuesday.
The Special Court acknowledged the ED's charge sheet and has issued notices to the accused parties to recognize the charges.
This charge sheet targets A to Z Solutions and its proprietors, including Arif Ali, Nitin Gupta, Garvit Singhal, and Udit Garg. This case falls under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The ED commenced its investigation based on an FIR lodged by the Cyber Police in Dehradun, against Megha Rawat and others, under various sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Indian Penal Code, 1860, for allegedly operating a fake call centre under the guise of A to Z Solutions.
Further inquiries by the ED under PMLA revealed that this call centre deceptively offered online technical support services to international clients, misleading them into believing it was linked to Microsoft Corporation.
The illicit profits generated from defrauding foreign nationals were funneled to India via illegal channels, according to the ED.
The Uttarakhand Police executed search operations at the premises of A to Z Solutions and confiscated cash, which the ED has provisionally attached amounting to Rs 1.26 crore, identified as part of the Proceeds of Crime.
The fraudulent company had leased a three-story building to operate its deceptive call centre aimed at scamming foreign clients through sham online support services.
According to the police FIR, the company’s “international call centre” was situated in the MKP Chowk area of Dehradun.
The ED remarked that their actions against A to Z Solutions are part of a broader commitment to combat cybercrime and dismantle fraudulent networks.