Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The Chandigarh Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has attached immovable and movable properties worth Rs 2.85 crore purchased out of the proceeds of crime (POC) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with their probe into a cyber fraud case related to defrauding of foreign nationals by the main mastermind Vikramjeet Singh and others to the tune of Rs 11.50 crore, a directorate official said on Tuesday.
An ED spokesperson said, “ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by the Haryana Police against Vikramjeet Singh and others on a complaint filed by a US citizen. Investigation has revealed that Vikramjeet and Anchal Mittal, in connivance with others, set up a fraudulent call centre and impersonated employees of Bank of America. In this case, they took illegal access of the computer of an US citizen and committed a fraud to the tune of Rs 11.54 crore. The ill-got money was utilised for the purchase of cryptocurrency, which was sold later, and the sale proceeds were laundered through various bank accounts related to relatives and other entities.”
Divulging details of the investigation, the spokesperson said, “The proceeds of crime were generated in cash, which was further utilised for purchasing immovable properties. ED investigations revealed that POC was routed through multiple bank accounts and utilised by the main accused, Vikramjeet Singh, for purchasing immovable properties in the name of his close family members. Vikramjeet also extended loans to various individuals and made advance payments to various builders using the POC. The two immovable properties purchased out of the POC in the name of Smt Sarita Devi and Jasbir Singh, parents of the main mastermind Vikramjeet Singh, valued at Rs 1.26 crore and FDRs/ bank balance amounting to Rs 1.58 crore have been attached.”
The ED had, on July 29, conducted search operations at the residential premises of Vikramjeet and his associates and seized incriminating documents/ digital devices, the spokesperson said.
“The balance maintained in various bank accounts of suspect persons, amounting to a total of Rs 43.58 lakh, was frozen. Further investigation is underway,” the spokesperson added.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
