29 October,2016 08:30 AM IST | | Vinay Dalvi
Thane police yesterday seized the Audi R8 worth around Rs 3 crore that the kingpin in the Mira Road call centre scam had purchased from captain of Indian team in Test cricket, Virat Kohli, for Rs 50 lakh
Sagar Thakkar bought the Audi Rs 8 from Kohli for Rs 50 lakh. The vehicle was seized from Haryana
The Thane police yesterday seized the Audi R8 worth around Rs 3 crore that the kingpin in the bogus call centre scam in Mira Road had purchased from captain of the Indian team in Test cricket, Virat Kohli, for Rs 50 lakh. The police said the vehicle was being used by main accused Sagar Thakkar alias Shaggy's friend and was seized from Rohtak, Haryana.
Multi-crore hoodwink
Shaggy had bought the car from the money from the scam - call centres in Ahmedabad and Mira Road had staff posing as Internal Revenue Service officials and calling up US citizens, asking them to settle their taxes or face action.
Also Read: Shaggy Tales: What we know about Mira Road call centre scam kingpin so far
The US Justice Department on Thursday charged 61 people in connection with the scam, including US citizens. Under the guidance of Thane police commissioner Param Bir Singh, a crime branch team had acted against 12 call centres on October 5 and had seized several computers and arrested 70 people.
The lavish life
The police had learnt that Shaggy had spent a huge amount on several high-end cars and properties. He had gifted the Audi to his girlfriend, who the police are searching for.
Read Story: Mira Road call centre scam: Meet the mastermind behind kingpin Shaggy
"We recovered the car from his friend in Rohtak," said Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parag Manere of the Thane crime branch.
Shaggy has several properties in Dubai that he purchased with money made from the scam, said the officer, adding that they suspect he is in Dubai with his sister Reema.
The whole racket started after Shaggy came in touch with a friend in the US who gave him the idea of starting a call centre.
