Did the ED seize properties worth Rs 4.50 crore in Haryana's digital fraud case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chandigarh, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced the seizure of immovable properties valued at Rs 4.50 crore along with a cash amount of Rs 1.70 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with a fraud case, on Thursday.
The ED launched an investigation based on a first information report (FIR) filed by the Haryana Police against Vikas Kalra and others.
This FIR was initiated following complaints from numerous investors. During the inquiry, it came to light that several FIRs have been filed regarding this matter by police authorities.
The investigation has revealed that Vikas Kalra, Tarun Taneja, and their associates conspired to create a fraudulent and non-existent entity named Crypto World Trading Company to lure investments from unsuspecting individuals by promising exorbitant returns.
They reportedly deceived thousands of investors through a website linked to this entity, where they established user IDs and distributed returns in the form of credit points that could only be redeemed by bringing in new investors.
According to the ED, investments amounting to crores of rupees were primarily received in cash, bank accounts, and crypto wallets.
The agency examined multiple bank accounts belonging to the suspects and their family members, revealing that the proceeds of crime were laundered through various bank accounts, crypto wallets, and ultimately invested in immovable properties held in the names of family members.
Furthermore, cash generated from these crimes was also utilized to acquire these immovable assets.
In December, the ED conducted searches at various locations in Haryana and Chandigarh related to this case, where some suspects established accounts for receiving funds on the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance and allegedly “cheated” investors by running a “fraudulent” online platform.
The investigations disclosed that funds were extracted from victims in cash and that many were defrauded under the guise of a booming digital currency market with names similar to “cryptocurrency.”
The victims, primarily from Haryana, were also enticed with the promise of higher profits for recruiting additional investors, much like the notorious “chain system.”