The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a significant legal action by filing a Prosecution Complaint (PC) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This complaint, lodged before the Special PMLA Court in Patna, targets ten accused, including individuals Nitesh Kumar, Sagar Yadav, Santosh Kumar, and various private limited companies. The court recognized the seriousness of the charges on February 16, 2024.
The ED’s investigation was spurred by a cyber fraud case involving an Irish national who was defrauded of 950 Euros. The agency discovered that the “Proceeds of Crime” from this fraud were subsequently transferred to India.
Investigators unraveled a complex scheme where the accused, Nitesh Kumar, Sagar Yadav, Santosh Yadav, and their associates, operated fraudulent call centers under the guise of M/s Leconix Business Center Pvt Ltd in Kolkata and Kharagpur. A search at the Kharagpur location revealed 70 computer systems, IP telephones, and headphones. The accused employed shell companies, mule bank accounts, and sophisticated hardware and software for their operations. They recruited college dropouts and unemployed youths to run these centers, where they contacted victims, accessed their digital devices remotely, and fraudulently obtained bank details to siphon off funds.
The ED’s thorough analysis of bank statements identified 44 Irish victims and traced foreign remittances amounting to approximately Rs. 7.30 Crore. They have seized about Rs. 1.82 Crore in cash and frozen around Rs. 2.82 Crore in various mule bank accounts.
The investigation, which included searches under section 17 of PMLA, 2002, was conducted in Patna, Kolkata, and Kharagpur on multiple dates. These searches led to the seizure of incriminating evidence, including cash, debit cards, mobile phones, laptops, and iPads, along with the freezing of substantial funds in various accounts. The principal accused, Nitesh Kumar, Sagar Yadav, and Santosh Kumar, were arrested in December 2023 and are currently in judicial custody.
This case represents a critical step in combating cybercrime and money laundering, highlighting the ED’s commitment to upholding financial laws and protecting citizens from sophisticated fraud schemes. The investigation continues to unfold as further details and connections are explored.
