Enforcement Directorate conducts multi-state raids in case against 'illegal' betting app
At least 15 premises in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Madurai (Tamil Nadu) and Surat (Gujarat) are being searched in the case against the app (application) named Parimatch, the sources said.
The ED case, filed under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), stems from a 2024 FIR filed by the Mumbai cyber police.
Preliminary investigation shows that the funds were collected from 'duped' users in mule accounts (used by criminals to launder illicit funds) and these were layered through multiple payment aggregators and domestic money transfer agents. The alleged illicit funds identified are worth about ₹2,000 crore, the sources said.
This amount was then 'layered' and sent through crypto wallets, cash withdrawals through ATMs located in a single locality in a Tamil Nadu city, low value UPI transfers, etc., they said.
The federal probe agency has recovered some documents, mobiles and computer peripherals in the searches till now, as per the sources.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
28 minutes ago
- Hans India
ED seizes over Rs 4 crore assets in BBMP TDR scam
Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached land and flats worth ₹4.06 crore in connection with the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) scam involving the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The seized properties are linked to brokers and fake owners allegedly involved in the racket. The action follows a major crackdown on May 23, when ED officials conducted simultaneous searches at nine locations, including the office of Valmark Realty Holdings Pvt. Ltd. (VRHPL), its directors, builders, brokers, and residences of fake TDR applicants. Crucial documents and evidence were seized during the raids, leading to the attachment of immovable assets. The TDR scam dates back to 2009–2015, when the BBMP and the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) were under scrutiny for fraudulent issuance of development rights. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had earlier registered an FIR in the case, revealing that VRHPL illegally obtained TDR certificates and sold them to real estate companies and private individuals, making unlawful gains of around ₹27.68 crore. Based on the ACB's findings, the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and began its probe. Investigations revealed the involvement of BBMP officials, developers, and brokers in fabricating ownership documents and fraudulently claiming TDR benefits. According to the ED, the scam involved collusion between civic body insiders and private players to exploit the TDR system, which is intended to compensate landowners surrendering land for public projects. Instead, fake owners and shell companies allegedly pocketed the benefits, causing substantial loss to the exchequer. The ED stated that further investigation is underway to trace additional assets and identify all beneficiaries of the fraudulent transactions. More seizures and chargesheets are expected in the coming months.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Money laundering probe: ED raids Tamil Nadu minister I Periyasamy's residence, other properties ; Madras HC orders retrial
CHENNAI: Enforcement Directorate ( ) officials on Saturday launched fresh search operations at properties linked to state rural development minister I Periyasamy in Chennai and his hometown Dindigul. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Simultaneous searches were carried out at his official residence on Greenways Road and at his house and other properties in Dindigul. While the minister was in Dindigul, a five-member ED team reached his official residence around 7am, accompanied by two CRPF personnel for security. Though the ED has not disclosed the background of the searches, it may be noted that the Madras High Court recently overturned the order of the Dindigul trial court, which had acquitted the DMK leader and his family in the Rs 2.01 crore disproportionate assets case. The case relates to the alleged accumulation of assets worth Rs 2.01 crore between 2006 and 2010, investigated by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). A chargesheet was filed against Periyasamy, his wife Suseela, and sons Senthilkumar and Prabhu. Although the trial court acquitted all of them, Justice P Velmurugan of the Madras High Court in April set aside the order and directed a fresh trial.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
ED conducting raids at properties linked to TN minister I. Periyasamy
Chennai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting raids at multiple locations linked to Tamil Nadu Minister I. Periyasamy. Teams of officials reached his residence on Greenways Road in Chennai, his MLA guest house at Thiruvallikeni, and several properties in Madurai and Dindigul on Saturday morning. The searches are part of an investigation into suspected money laundering and illegal financial transactions. The operation has created tension, especially near the minister's Greenways Road home, where some people initially prevented ED officials from entering the premises. Security has been tightened in the area, and heavy deployment of police has been reported. The raids are still in progress, with officers said to be scrutinising property and financial records. This action is seen as part of a wider pattern of central agency interventions in Tamil Nadu. Earlier this year, the ED probed alleged irregularities to the tune of Rs 1,000-crore in TASMAC, and examined the tender processes, inflated charges on liquor bottles, and manipulation of licensing. Raids were carried out at the residences of senior officials including the TASMAC Managing Director, as well as at several distillery operators' offices. That case, however, escalated into a major legal dispute. The Supreme Court stayed the probe in May and came down heavily on the ED, warning that the agency was crossing constitutional limits by raiding a state-owned corporation and infringing upon the federal structure. The agency also recently carried out searches in a case linked to S. Pandian, a former environment official accused in a corruption probe initiated by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption. During those operations, large amounts of cash, gold, silver, diamonds, and property documents were seized, underscoring the scale of alleged irregularities being investigated. With the raids on Minister Periyasamy now underway, political circles in Tamil Nadu are closely watching developments. The ruling DMK has in the past accused central agencies of misusing their powers to target its leaders, while the Opposition has insisted that such investigations are necessary to expose corruption. The outcome of the current searches is expected to have significant political and legal ramifications, further intensifying the friction between the state government and central enforcement agencies.
