Crypto probe: ED attaches assets worth Rs.97.79 crore linked to Raj Kundra, his actress wife, Shilpa Shetty
The federal agency said amongst the attached properties include a residential flat situated in Juhu presently in the name of Shilpa Shetty, a residential bungalow located in Pune and equity shares held in the name of Raj Kundra.
Kundra or Shetty were not immediately available for a comment.
According to the agency, ED initiated investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by Maharashtra Police and Delhi Police against M/s Variable Tech Pte Ltd, Late Amit Bhardwaj, Ajay Bhardwaj, Vivek Bhardwaj, Simpy Bhardwaj, Mahender Bhardwaj and number of MLM agents, wherein it has been alleged that they had collected huge amounts of funds in the form of Bitcoins worth Rs 6600 crore (in 2017) from the gullible public with the false promises of 10% per month return in the form of Bitcoins. The collected Bitcoins were supposed to be utilised for Bitcoin mining and investors were supposed to get huge returns in crypto assets.
“…But the promoters cheated the investors and have been concealing the ill gotten Bitcoins in obscure online wallets. ED investigation revealed that Raj Kundra received 285 Bitcoins from the mastermind and promoter of Gain Bitcoin Ponzi Scam Amit Bhardwaj for setting up a Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine. The said Bitcoins were sourced out of proceeds of crime collected by Amit Bhardwaj from gullible investors. Since the deal didn’t materialise, Kundra is still in possession and enjoyment of 285 Bitcoins which are presently valued at more than Rs. 150 crore,” ED said in its statement.
The main accused Ajay Bhardwaj and Mahendra Bhardwaj are still absconding. Earlier, ED had attached properties worth Rs 69 crore. The agency in February filed its supplementary Prosecution Complaint equivalent to a chargesheet in the matter. A special PMLA court has taken cognizance of the same.
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