ED arrests advocate over Rs 28,000-crore pan-India cyber fraud network

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested an advocate in connection with a money-laundering investigation linked to an alleged pan-India cyber fraud and digital arrest network. Investigators stated that the network handled banking transactions worth nearly Rs 28,000 crore and made cash deposits of about Rs 2,900 crore. This action brought the total number of arrests in the case to seven. The advocate was intercepted at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Delhi, with assistance from customs and security personnel.

The investigation originated from a first information report registered by Goa Police on June 9, 2025. According to reports, a Goa-based woman was placed under digital arrest by fraudsters and duped into transferring Rs 2.60 crore to several mule accounts between May 21 and June 2, 2025. During court proceedings, the ED alleged that the arrested advocate served as a key node in the network. The agency claimed that when police complaints caused bank accounts linked to the network to be frozen, the individual allegedly secured their release by bribing officials through a private cash delivery network known as Angadiyas.

According to the ED, the funds taken from the Goa victim were routed through 400 mule accounts belonging to commodity, travel, and foreign exchange companies operated by dummy directors. The money was subsequently withdrawn in cash and converted into foreign exchange through Reserve Bank of India-licensed money changers. Official sources noted that accounts connected to the network appeared in over 300 victim complaints and more than 160 first information reports across 20 states and Union Territories, with reported losses exceeding Rs 400 crore. The agency continued to investigate the identities of officials who allegedly accepted bribes, intermediaries, and the full flow of funds.

Not yet reported: The articles do not name the specific officials allegedly involved in accepting bribes or detail the final judicial outcomes for the accused.