A number of bank accounts used to park the proceeds of crime by the accused persons were identified during the course of investigation and the balances lying therein were frozen
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, July 26, 2024: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ranchi has secured a conviction in the matter of cyber fraud case wherein accused persons were involved in illegal withdrawal/transfer of money from ATMs/bank accounts of other individuals, as per the press release issued by the ED.
The Directorate had filed the Prosecution Complaint and Supplementary Prosecution Complaint on 27.05.2019 and 02.09.2022, respectively before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Ranchi against the accused persons namely Pradeep Kumar Mandal, Pintu Mandal, Ganesh Mandal, Ankush Kumar Mandal and Santosh Mandal, all resident of Jamtara, Jharkhand. The accused have been habitual offenders and involved in similar offences at other places as well.
The Hon’ble Special (PMLA) Court, Ranchi vide order dated 23.07.2024 sentenced each accused person to five years of rigorous imprisonment, imposed a fine of Rs 2.5 Lakh on each accused person and in default of fine, further six months simple imprisonment and confiscated the attached/frozen/seized properties worth Rs68 Lakh (approx.).
ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR & Charge sheet filed by Narayanpur Police Station, Jamtara, Jharkhand against the said persons under various sections of IPC, 1860 and Information Technology Act, 2000. ED investigation revealed that the aforesaid accused persons used to gather mobile numbers of bank customers from the internet and other means. Thereafter, they used to call over those mobile numbers of bank customers, in guise of bank officials/employees and dupe/threaten them that they would block their ATMs/bank accounts. They generated OTPs required for further transfer of funds through utilization of the bank account details of the customers. The OTPs thus generated were obtained by the accused persons through phone calls made to the customers. They further used the gathered data/details to siphon off the funds/money from their bank accounts and deposited the same using different modes like IMPS/UPI/e-wallet viz. wallets like Paytm, Mpesa, PhonePay etc in their own names.
It was also revealed during the course of investigation that the said accused persons used to transfer those funds in their personal bank accounts which was further utilised in purchasing movable/immovable properties. Apart from that, they also used to withdraw Proceeds of Crime from their bank accounts which was utilized for their daily domestic expenses as well as for lavish lifestyle. A number of such bank accounts used to park the proceeds of crime by the accused persons were identified during the course of investigation and the balances lying therein were frozen. Further, during the course of PMLA investigation, searches were conducted at different premises of the accused persons and several mobile phones and bank accounts which were instrumental in commission of the offence were seized/ frozed. During the course of investigation, Cash, balance in bank accounts, four vehicles, mobile phones and three immovable properties of accused persons, having cumulative value to the tune of Rs. 68 Lakh (approx.) were attached/freezed/seized which were duly confirmed/allowed by Ld. Adjudicating Authority (under PMLA), New Delhi and further prayed for confiscation before Hon’ble PMLA Court, Ranchi and the Hon’ble Court was pleased to order for the confiscation of the said attached/freezed/seized properties.
