Divyangbhai Raval, an accused in an alleged cross-border call centre fraud case linked to Hyderabad, has reportedly been taken into the custody of United States authorities after being detained in Casablanca, Morocco. The development could have implications for criminal proceedings underway in India and extradition-related legal questions involving multiple countries.
According to the supplied report, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) received information that Raval was arrested in Morocco and subsequently transferred to US authorities. The reported transfer follows an indictment by the US District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle over alleged call centre operations targeting American citizens.
However, the precise legal basis and procedural details of his reported transfer to US custody have not been fully established in the court records described in the report.
Arrest in Morocco Following US Indictment
Court filings submitted by Raval's wife reportedly state that he was previously named in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case registered in Pune on September 24, 2024. He was granted bail on December 9, 2024.
The Bombay High Court subsequently relaxed his bail conditions on March 30, 2026, removing the requirement to obtain prior permission before travelling abroad. According to the petition, Raval informed the investigating officer about his travel itinerary before leaving India.
He reportedly travelled through Dubai to Casablanca, Morocco, where local authorities detained him under a warrant issued following his indictment in the United States.
The US allegations relate to a Washington-based call centre that allegedly operated between 2020 and 2021. According to the report, individuals working at the centre impersonated American law enforcement officers and threatened victims with criminal prosecution to obtain money.
The alleged scheme involved using false claims of legal action and intimidation to pressure people in the United States into making payments.
Wife Seeks Indian Government Intervention
Following Raval's detention in Morocco, his wife approached the Delhi High Court seeking diplomatic and administrative intervention from the Indian government.
Her petition reportedly requested that Indian authorities initiate an extradition process before Moroccan officials considered the US request. She argued that Raval was already facing criminal proceedings in India, had been granted bail and was willing to return to face the domestic charges.
The petition also raised concerns about his legal and personal rights while detained abroad. Among the requested measures were:
Consular access and assistance from Indian authorities.
Access to legal representation and translation services.
Appropriate medical care.
Communication with family members.
Protection against any transfer outside the applicable legal process.
The matter placed questions of extradition, consular assistance and the competing legal interests of India and the United States before the court.
Delhi High Court Asks MEA to Examine Representation
In an order dated September 28, the Delhi High Court reportedly declined to direct the immediate repatriation of Raval to India.
Instead, it instructed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to treat the petition as a formal representation, examine the concerns raised and communicate its decision to the petitioner within one week.
The issue came up again during a subsequent hearing on October 30. According to the supplied report, the Union government's counsel disputed the claim that an extradition treaty between India and Morocco had been ratified.
This raised additional legal questions about the framework under which India could seek Raval's custody while Moroccan authorities were considering extradition proceedings initiated by the United States.
The position expressed by government counsel is relevant to the petition, but the complete legal position would need to be assessed from the applicable treaties, domestic laws and court records.
ED Investigates Financial Links to Hyderabad Operations
The ED's investigation reportedly originates from two FIRs registered by Madhapur police in Hyderabad in August 2023.
The agency has been examining suspected money laundering connected to call centre operations allegedly targeting US citizens through impersonation and threats.
Investigators have reportedly identified a financial transaction of approximately ₹27 lakh from bank accounts linked to co-accused Mohammed Irfan Ansari to Raval.
The ED is examining the wider banking network to establish how money allegedly generated through the operations moved between individuals and accounts. The investigation also seeks to determine whether domestic financial arrangements supported activities targeting victims overseas.
Reported US Custody Raises Further Legal Questions
Raval's reported transfer to US custody adds an international dimension to the case. It may affect the handling of proceedings in India, the status of the extradition process in Morocco and the coordination required between the authorities involved.
The available information in the supplied report does not establish the complete procedural details of the transfer or the current status of all related proceedings.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against Raval and other accused individuals must be established through the relevant legal proceedings. The reported detention and indictment should not be treated as a finding of guilt.
The case also illustrates the importance of tracing financial transactions across borders when investigating suspected fraud involving overseas victims. Shunyatax's financial investigation services provide information on financial scrutiny and transaction-related investigations.