Cyber Fraud Bust: Gujarat and Maharashtra Raids Expose Massive Money Laundering Scheme

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday carried out significant operations in Gujarat and Maharashtra, targeting a sophisticated money laundering network. Official sources indicated that the investigation was linked to a series of cybercrimes orchestrated by fraudsters, involving digital arrests and the illicit transfer of over Rs 100 crore abroad.

The raids took place in Surat and Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and in Mumbai. These were spearheaded by the Surat sub-zonal office of the federal agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The origins of this case trace back to an FIR filed by the Gujarat Police against Makbul Doctor, Kaashif Doctor, Bassam Doctor, Mahesh Mafatlal Desai, Maaz Abdul Raheem Nada, among others.

These individuals are accused of orchestrating scams exploiting cryptocurrency, digital arrests, and fake law enforcement notices. The funds swindled from unsuspecting victims were funneled into banks using fraudulent KYC documents and converted to cryptocurrency via hawala operators, facilitating the transfer of more than Rs 100 crore abroad.

(With inputs from agencies.)