The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), in Kolkata, has busted an extortion racket operating in Kolkata and Bardhaman, and arrested the alleged mastermind, S K Jinnar Ali. He has been taken into ED custody until July 16 for further questioning.
The ED conducted searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Wednesday and found that the accused were impersonating ED officials to defraud businessmen. An FIR was filed at Bidhannagar South Police Station, in Kolkata.
“The public is strongly advised to exercise caution and not fall prey to fraudsters impersonating ED or other government agencies. Any summons issued by the ED can be verified through the official website … ,” read statement by the agency.
Police said the accused individual would contact businessmen by phone and summon them to the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate Office under the guise of official inquiries and use fake ED credentials.
During the raids, the officials seized two vehicles and frozen Rs. 45.89 lakh in bank accounts of the accused, his wife, and a company M/s Sparklink Management Service Private Limited. In addition, incriminating documents, items, and digital evidence were seized, which include forged letters purportedly issued by the ED and other government authorities, complete with fabricated seals and forged signatures.
The authorities recovered multiple lanyards printed with “Government of India” and a letterhead of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, bearing the name “Dr SK Jinnar Ali” and embossed with the Ashoka Emblem. In addition, Ali was involved in cheating victims by falsely promising assistance in ongoing investigation cases. He projected himself as the chairman of an organisation — “The National Anti-Trafficking Committee.”
