Massive Cyberfraud Crackdown: Raids Uncover Rs 100 Crore Scams

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched an extensive operation on Wednesday, executing raids across several locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat in a bid to uncover cyberfraud practices. These deceptive activities are alleged to have duped the general public out of more than Rs 100 crore, sources reveal.

The ED's Ahmedabad zonal office spearheaded the early morning raids, which are part of an ongoing case related to cybercrime fraudsters under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The targeted areas include Maharashtra's Mumbai and Gujarat's Surat and Ahmedabad.

This PMLA case traces back to a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by Gujarat Police, implicating individuals such as Makbul Doctor, Kaashif Doctor, Bassam Doctor, Mahesh Mafatlal Desai, and Maaz Abdul Raheem Nada. Officials allege their involvement in multiple cyberfrauds, including sham USDT trading, fraudulent detentions, and crook notices from law enforcement, with illicit funds being moved abroad through cryptocurrency and hawala networks.

(With inputs from agencies.)