2 hrs ago
ED arrests alleged handler in Oswal digital arrest fraud case
The Enforcement Directorate says a group tricked industrialist S.P. Oswal into paying ₹7 crore.
The criminals allegedly pretended to be officers from the Central Bureau of Investigation and the judiciary.
The ED arrested Sohel Akhtar, whom it calls an important person in the alleged operation.
Investigators say he helped arrange bank accounts used to move the money.
Some account holders were reportedly promised loans or jobs.
The money was allegedly moved quickly, withdrawn in cash and changed into cryptocurrency.
The ED says foreign associates, including people in Nepal, were involved.
The agency is continuing its investigation into the alleged fraud and money laundering.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Sohel Akhtar in Kolkata on September 28.
Akhtar is accused of helping route ₹7 crore allegedly extorted from S.P. Oswal.
Investigators linked the case to mule accounts, cryptocurrency and foreign associates.
The ED said accounts and applications helped move funds through Nepal and elsewhere.
The agency has attached ₹1.76 crore in assets and says investigation continues.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate arrested Sohel Akhtar, who it described as an alleged principal handler; industrialist S.P. Oswal was the alleged victim.
- What
- An investigation into an alleged ₹7-crore digital-arrest fraud and the laundering of its proceeds.
- Where
- Akhtar was arrested in Kolkata and produced before a special PMLA court in Jalandhar.
- When
- Akhtar was arrested on September 28 and remanded to ED custody until October 6.
- Why
- The ED alleges that Akhtar helped recruit people and arrange mule bank accounts to route cybercrime proceeds.
Key facts
- Alleged amount extorted
- ₹7 crore from industrialist S.P. Oswal
- Initial transfers
- ₹4 crore to Frozenman Warehousing & Logistics and ₹3 crore to Riglo Ventures Private Limited
- Accused arrested
- Sohel Akhtar alias Raju
- Arrest location
- Kolkata
- Custody
- Seven days, until October 6, following a special PMLA court order
- Assets provisionally attached
- ₹1.76 crore
- Investigation status
- Further investigation is underway
Quotes
Enforcement Directorate
India’s financial-crime investigation agency
“During the Digital Arrest of S.P. Oswal, the fraudsters impersonating as officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation and judiciary, extorted Rs. 7 crore from him.”
thestatesman.com
“These mule accounts were opened by inducing economically vulnerable individuals with false promises of arranging loans or providing employment.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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