ED Uncovers 'Vote-Jihad' Fraud: Rs 13.5 Crore Seized Following Raids in Mumbai and Ahmedabad
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Mumbai, Dec 7 (NationPress) In a significant operation, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted raids at seven different locations in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, leading to the seizure of crime-related proceeds amounting to Rs 13.50 crore, an official reported on Saturday.
This seizure is linked to a case initiated on November 7 against the Nashik Merchant Cooperative (NAMCO) Bank in Malegaon, located in the Nashik district.
In response to a complaint, the Malegaon Chavani Police Station filed an FIR last month regarding suspicious deposits exceeding Rs 100 crore in 14 newly established bank accounts at NAMCO Bank.
The FIR identified the main suspect as Siraj A. M. Harun Memon, who runs a beverage agency, along with accomplices who allegedly used identity documents of various unsuspecting individuals (acquired through deceitful promises or monetary incentives) to layer and transfer the proceeds of the illicit activity.
The case, initially highlighted by former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya as a potential 'Vote-Jihad' issue, was subsequently investigated by the ED as the questionable transactions across multiple states surfaced just weeks ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The ED's investigation revealed that at least five similar accounts were also linked to the Bank of Maharashtra, Nashik Branch.
Tracing the money trail from these accounts, the ED scrutinized the debit transactions conducted through various online banking platforms linked to the 14 NAMCO Bank accounts and the five accounts at BoM.
The investigation uncovered that funds from these accounts were channeled to 21 sole proprietary concerns through debit transactions, drawing the attention of the ED.
A comprehensive examination of the bank statements from these 21 entities, which received substantial funds via online transfers, indicated that the money was subsequently routed to various other firms believed to operate as fake accounts.
Further analysis showed that a significant amount of cash was withdrawn from these fraudulent accounts, including transactions by Nagani Akram M. Shafi and Vasim V. Bhesaniya.
This duo then distributed the cash to multiple entities utilizing 'angadiyas' (traditional couriers) or 'hawala' operators in Ahmedabad, Surat, and Mumbai.
The ED asserted that the Bhesania-Shafi pair, who were later arrested on money laundering charges, operated under the guidance of one Mehmood Bhagad, also known as Challenger King.
Last month, the ED executed approximately 25 searches in Ahmedabad, Surat, Nashik, and Mumbai, resulting in the recovery of bank balances totaling Rs 5.20 crore, alongside incriminating documents, digital evidence, bank deposits, and other transactions.
