Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar
Srinagar, Mar 23: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Srinagar Zonal Office has provisionally attached Rs16,86,465 as proceeds of crime in a cyber fraud case involving a so-called “Digital Arrest” racket.
According to an ED press release, the amount is held in an HDFC Bank account under M/s Jeevika Foundations, operated by accused Gaurav Kumar. The fraud involved impersonating officials from regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including TRAI and CBI, to deceive victims into transferring funds under false claims of money laundering and national security investigations.
The case was initiated following FIR No. 26/2024 registered by the Cyber Police Station, Kashmir Zone on October 19, 2024, and a preliminary chargesheet filed before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar.
Investigation revealed that Gaurav Kumar, along with associates Gurpreet Singh and Ujjwal Chauhan, orchestrated the scam. Victims were coerced, under threat of arrest, to liquidate fixed deposits and transfer funds. In total, Rs 21,00,000 was fraudulently collected, of which Rs 4,13,535 has been refunded to the complainant following a court order.
The remaining Rs 16,86,465, identified in the Jeevika Foundations account, has now been attached under Section 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act