Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 8: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an investigation into the properties linked to Mangaluru-based Roshan Saldanha and his wife in connection with a multi-crore rupee fraud.
ED officials conducted search operations at five locations in the city. Police had earlier registered a case against Roshan Saldanha and his wife, Dafney Neethu D’Souza, for allegedly collecting money from various businessmen under the pretext of arranging loans at low interest rates, taking funds for stamp duty, but failing to provide the promised loans.
Investigations revealed that the accused had collected around Rs 39 crore through fake companies. Diaries and documents related to the transactions have been seized. It has come to light that the accused used the money for personal purposes, their own business ventures, and transferred a significant portion elsewhere through fictitious firms.
During the searches, Rs 3.75 crore in bank accounts was frozen. The ED also found that Roshan Saldanha had transferred Rs 5.75 crore, obtained through fraudulent means via his fictitious companies, to purchase five fishing boats in the name of his wife, Dafney Neethu D’Souza. These boats have been seized.
In total, assets worth around Rs 9.5 crore have been seized or frozen during the operation. Further investigation is underway, the ED stated.