The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has shut down two illegal call centres in Nashik accused of defrauding UK nationals by posing as insurance agents and government officials, media outlets reported.
Two individuals, Ganesh and Shyam Kamankar, were arrested after raids on Swagan Business Solutions. A case has been registered against four private persons, unidentified public servants, and others linked to the racket.
Investigators said the operation employed about 60 staff who used Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, spoofed phone numbers, and forged documents to obtain victims’ credit and debit card details. The proceeds were allegedly routed through PayPal and conventional banking channels.
Raids in Nashik and Kalyan, Thane district, uncovered incriminating material, including victim databases, forged insurance policy documents, eight mobile phones, eight computer systems and servers, and unexplained cash of Rs 5 lakh. The arrested suspects have been remanded to CBI custody until Monday.
A recurring challenge
The case underscores a recurring challenge for the insurance industry -- fraudulent schemes peddling non-existent policies that undercut both consumer confidence and the credibility of legitimate insurers. Regulators worldwide have warned that such scams are increasingly sophisticated, often leveraging digital communication tools and cross-border networks to reach unsuspecting policyholders.
In India, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has stepped up consumer awareness campaigns, urging policyholders to verify agent credentials through official portals. Meanwhile, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK continues to maintain public warning lists of unauthorized firms and intermediaries.
Insurers themselves are also tightening safeguards. Many carriers now require stronger identity verification for digital sales and are investing in fraud detection systems powered by artificial intelligence. Industry groups emphasize that collaboration between regulators, insurers, and law enforcement is essential, given that fraudsters frequently shift operations across jurisdictions.
CBI officials said investigations are ongoing to trace the wider network and follow the money trail.
