Two suspects traced to Bihar and West Bengal as inquiry widens
Lucknow investigators probing an international fake call-centre racket have identified two more associates connected to arrested accused Niteshbhai Padmashali, officials familiar with the probe said. Both men are currently absconding — one suspected to have fled to Bihar and the other believed to be hiding in West Bengal.
A raid on an illegal call-centre in the city on July 1 led to initial action against operators of the alleged syndicate. Police suspect the two newly identified men were present at the premises during that raid and were involved in running the operation, but were allowed to leave after money was allegedly paid to personnel at the scene. The alleged escape has become a central line of inquiry.
Following internal scrutiny, the Lucknow police have suspended a head constable and two constables pending departmental inquiry into how the suspects could depart from the site during the raid and whether any official action was compromised to protect them, officials said.
- Arrest: Niteshbhai Padmashali was arrested on August 9, and is described by investigators as a key operator in the racket.
- Suspects absconding: Two associates traced to Bihar and West Bengal remain at large.
- Police action: One head constable and two constables have been suspended; an internal inquiry is under way.
Alleged international fraud model and operational details
Police said interrogation of the arrested accused has yielded information on the syndicate’s evolving tactics. Initially, the group focused on United Kingdom victims, reportedly using virtual UK phone numbers and softphone applications such as 3CX to make calls. Victims were allegedly persuaded to transfer money, frequently routed through gift cards, investigators said.
Investigators described elements in the network that processed transactions, deducted commissions and moved funds through a chain of accounts. Contacts and facilitators were reportedly sourced through messaging platforms such as Telegram, according to officials.
The operation later shifted emphasis towards United States residents and adopted a variant designed to make victims initiate contact. Police said bulk SMS alerts were allegedly sent to recipients warning that small-dollar amounts — typically between $200 and $500 — were about to be deducted from their bank accounts. A US toll-free number in the message was provided; those who called were routed through multiple operators trained to impersonate legitimate bank or government-linked services.
Investigators described a three-tier structure involving “Dialers”, “Bankers” and “Closers”.
Local consequences and investigative priorities
The case has placed two priorities before Lucknow authorities: locating the absconding suspects and establishing whether any local police personnel facilitated their escape during the July raid. The suspension of the three personnel indicates that the police administration is treating the allegations as serious while an internal departmental inquiry proceeds, officials said.
For local residents, the probe underscores the presence of complex transnational fraud networks operating out of city premises and exploiting telecommunications technology and social platforms to target overseas victims. Officials said investigators are also tracing the movement of funds and identifying intermediaries who may have handled or laundered proceeds.
| Key event | Date / status |
|---|---|
| Raid on illegal call-centre | 1 July — premises raided |
| Arrest of principal accused | 9 August — Niteshbhai Padmashali arrested |
| Additional suspects identified | Investigators say two more associates absconded to Bihar and West Bengal |
| Police personnel action | One head constable and two constables suspended; departmental inquiry under way |
Police said the probe remains active and that further arrests and financial linkages may be revealed as interrogation and forensic examination of electronic evidence continue. The matter also raises questions about regulatory oversight of call-centre operations and the mechanisms by which international fraud rings recruit and manage local operatives.
Investigators told officials they are coordinating with agencies and law-enforcement counterparts in other states to track the movements of the absconding suspects and to recover proceeds of the alleged fraud from intermediary accounts.
What to watch next: the outcome of the departmental inquiry into the suspended personnel, any arrests of the two absconding associates, and forensic tracing of funds and communications that could link the local cell to the international network.
