ED traces call centre fraud to US custody after Morocco arrest

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has learned that Divyangbhai Raval, a key accused in the alleged US call centre fraud case, was arrested in Morocco and subsequently taken into US custody, according to sources.

Raval’s wife filed a petition with the Delhi high court requesting Indian intervention to prevent his extradition to the US before Moroccan authorities made a decision on the matter.

Court records show Raval was detained in Morocco and extradition proceedings were initiated against him. An order dated Sept 28 recorded his wife’s submission that he was facing a CBI case in Pune, which was registered on Sept 24, 2024.

Raval was granted bail on Dec 9, 2024, and the Bombay high court waived the requirement for prior court permission for foreign travel on March 30, 2026. His wife claimed he informed the investigating officer before traveling through Dubai to Casablanca.

Moroccan authorities detained Raval based on a warrant issued after he was indicted by the US district court for the Western District of Washington, Seattle. Moroccan reports allege he operated a Washington-based call centre during 2020-21, where employees impersonated law enforcement officials and threatened victims with prosecution to extort payments.

Raval’s wife requested the Delhi high court to direct the Indian government to submit an extradition request before a hearing in Morocco on Sept 30. She argued that he was already facing a criminal case in India, was on bail, and was willing to return to face proceedings there.

The high court directed the ministry of external affairs to treat her petition as a representation, examine it within a week, and communicate its decision. It did not order Raval’s return to India.

The ED’s money-laundering investigation began with two FIRs registered by Madhapur police in August 2023. The ED alleged that ₹27 lakh was transferred from bank accounts linked to accused Mohammed Irfan Ansari to Raval.

During proceedings on Oct 30, govt counsel disputed the wife’s contention that the India-Morocco extradition agreement had been ratified.