Chennai, June 2 (UNI) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Delhi Zonal Office has conducted search operations at seven locations in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengalore in an ongoing investigation under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The raids were against Bedanshu Sekhar Mishra, the then officer in the Punjab and Sind Bank, his associates and key management persons of gaming platporm GOA247.LIVE.

As a result of the searches, ED has seized cash amount of Rs. 39 lakh along with various incriminating materials including digital evidences, multiple mobile phones and SIM cards being

used for online gaming, etc, according to an official release.

Further, during the search proceedings, ED has frozen total amount of Rs 1.5 crore in 48 mule accounts being used by gaming platform.

The ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by CBI, ACB, New Delhi, under various

sections of IPC, 1860, PC Act 1988 and IT Act, 2000 against Bedanshu Shekhar Mishra and others.

Investigations revealed that Bedanshu Shekhar Mishra while being posted as officer in the Punjab and Sind Bank, Khalsa College Branch, North Campus, Delhi University has reportedly misused his

official position for carrying out fraud by conducting unauthorized transactions by breaking/liquidating

46 fixed deposit accounts of several customers primarily fixed deposit accounts in the name of SGTB

Khalsa College, Delhi University.

Thus, he committed fraud and forgery with the bank as well as several account holders of the bank and misappropriated/siphoned public money to the tune of Rs. 52.99 crore entrusted with the bank.

It is revealed during the investigation that he has transferred the Proceeds of Crime (POC) amounting to Rs. 24 crore (approx.) to online gaming platforms such as Goa247.live.

The POC was transferred by the accused to these online gaming companies through various mule accounts arranged by the online platform owners.

Earlier, the ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties of worth Rs. 2.56 crore

of Bedanshu Shekhar Mishra and others associates u/s 5 of PMLA. 2002.

Further investigation is under progress

UNI GV 1945