The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized Rs 39 lakh in cash and froze assets worth Rs 1.5 crore in a money laundering probe linked to an online gaming platform and a bank during searches at seven locations across Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru on May 29.
The investigation involved Bedanshu Sekhar Mishra, a former officer in the Punjab & Sind Bank, his associates and key management persons of gaming platform, a spokesperson of the ED said.
According to the ED, it seized Rs 39 lakh cash, along with various incriminating material, including digital evidence, multiple mobile phones and SIM cards being used for online gaming. “During the search proceedings, ED has frozen a total amount of Rs 1.5 crore in 48 mule accounts being used by gaming platforms,” the spokesperson added.
The ED initiated investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI against Mishra and others. “Probe has revealed that Mishra while being posted as officer in the Punjab & Sind Bank, Khalsa College Branch in North Campus, reportedly misused his official position for carrying out fraud by conducting unauthorised transactions by breaking/liquidating 46 fixed deposit accounts of several customers… siphoned public money to the tune of Rs 52.99 crore…,” the spokesperson said.
“Probe has revealed that he has transferred the Proceeds of Crime amounting to around Rs 24 crore to online gaming platforms. The POC was transferred by the accused to these online gaming companies through various mule accounts arranged by the online platform owners. The ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 2.56 cr of Mishra and his associates,” the spokesperson said.
