The Enforcement Directorate (ED), a financial investigative agency in India, has frozen Rs 6.47 crore in assets in connection to a part-time job scam that reportedly involved Chinese individuals. This amount includes Rs 71.3 lakh in the form of cryptocurrency, according to an official statement released on Thursday.
The scam allegedly centered around a mobile app named “Keepsharer,” which promised people part-time jobs. This app was connected to an investment application. The ED noted that many people were deceived through this scheme.
The seized Rs 6.47 crore belongs to six companies—Toningworld International Private Limited, Ansol Technology Private Limited, Redraccoon Services India Private Limited, Energico Digital Private Limited, Bridge Tera Technologies Private Limited, Ashenfallous Technologies Private Limited—and nine unnamed individuals, said the ED.
The case was initially registered based on a First Information Report (FIR) by the Bengaluru Police. It has been charged that accused Chinese individuals established companies in India and hired Indians as directors, translators, human resources managers, and telecallers.
“They collected money from the public in the name of investment through this app. The youths were given the task of liking videos of celebrities and uploading them on social media. On completion of the task, Rs 20 per video was credited to the Keepsharer wallet. Later on, they removed the app from the Play Store,” the statement explained.
The funds acquired through this fraudulent activity were initially stored in the bank accounts of the six implicated companies and nine individuals. The money was then converted into cryptocurrency and transferred to crypto exchanges based in China.
“Earlier, the ED had conducted search operations against the 12 entities involved in this case and seized Rs 5.85 crore under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act,” the statement from the ED added.
The action taken by the ED highlights the increasing concerns around fraudulent activities involving mobile applications and cryptocurrency. This case serves as a warning to the public to be vigilant about schemes that promise quick earnings through part-time jobs, especially when they involve investments in cryptocurrency.