Feds Arrest Several Involved In Call Center Scam Based In India; Some Charges Dismissed
UPDATE -- According to public court documents from September 30, 2016, the indictment of Narasimha Bhogavalli was 'dismissed without prejudice.'
According to TexasLawHelp.org, if a case is dismissed "without prejudice," it can be filed again (as long as there are no legal deadlines or other laws preventing the filing). If a case is dismissed "with prejudice," it cannot be filed again.
"The government's Unopposed Motion for Leave of Court to Dismiss the Indictment and Vacate Order of Detention against defendant Narasimha Bhogavalli is hereby granted," the court filing began. "The Indictment is hereby dismissed without prejudice," the order continued. "The order of Detention (dkt. 8) is hereby vacated. The U.S. Marshal is directed to immediately release defendant Narasimha Bhogavalli."
The Kendall Law Group who represents Bhogavalli posted a news release on their web site June 6, 2017. "Kendall Law Group announced today that Narashima Bhogavalli, a Texas owner of an IT company who was previously indicted in federal court in Dallas, Texas, has had all charges against him dropped by the U.S. Government," the statement began. "He was alleged to have been involved in an international IRS tax scam. He pled "not guilty" to the allegations."
"After a presentation by his defense lawyers to the prosecutors and the FBI, United States District Judge Sam Lindsay signed a Court Order dismissing the indictment against Mr. Bhogavalli," the statement continued. "We are grateful that the U.S. Attorney's office in Dallas listened to us and upon further investigation by them dropped all charges against Nara Bhogavalli. They were very fair," said Joe Kendall, Mr. Bhogavalli's criminal defense lawyer.
Original Story Posted 10/27/2016
WASHINGTON (CBSDFW/AP) - It can be a frightening call to get. Callers posing as tax and immigration agents are threatening arrest, deportation or other punishment unless money is sent to help clear up what they say is a deportation warrant or to cover unpaid income taxes.
The government says it's a scam -- one that's tricked at least 15,000 people into shelling out more than $300 million.
Now the Justice Department is announcing charges in connection with a call center operation that officials say is based in India.
Among them is Irving business owner Narasimha Bhogavalli.
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Leslie Caldwell says Bhogovalli and others posed as IRS agents, calling thousands of people and demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest or deportation.
Records indicate Bhogovalli owned two businesses with offices in a mid-rise building on Greenway Drive in Las Colinas.
Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging 61 defendants in the United States and abroad, including five call center groups.
The department says the extorted funds ended up being laundered with the help of prepaid debit cards.
Bhogovalli is in federal custody and faces up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine if he's convicted.
More arrests are taking place throughout the United States.
(© Copyright 2016 CBS Local Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)