ED Seizes ₹187 Crore in Cyber Fraud Case Involving Foreign Nationals

Jalandhar, August 2: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken significant action against cyber fraud involving foreign nationals by seizing assets worth ₹187.13 crore. This operation was conducted by the ED’s regional office in Jalandhar, targeting illegal call centers that preyed on international victims online. The seized assets include luxurious properties located in Haryana, Delhi, and Goa, such as upscale farmhouses and villas.

The investigation into money laundering was initiated based on information received from the FBI, USA, through the CBI. This was in connection with FIRs filed against individuals accused of defrauding American citizens of millions of dollars under various sections of BNS 2023.

The ED’s inquiry revealed that the illegal call center, known as Digicaps – The Future of Digital, employed 36 staff members, including Jigar Ahmed, Yash Khurana, Inderjeet Singh Bhali, and Nikhil Sharma. They operated under the supervision of individuals named Joni, Dakshya Sethi, and Gaurav Verma. These employees deceived American victims under the guise of technical support, stealing sensitive information and threatening legal action from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Subsequently, they coerced victims into transferring their funds into crypto accounts, which were withdrawn from foreign victims’ accounts and funneled into fake companies like Bliss Infraproperties LLP for personal gain through real estate investments.

In January and February 2026, the ED conducted searches at 13 locations across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This operation resulted in the recovery of various digital devices, the seizure of ₹34 lakh in unaccounted cash, and incriminating records linking the accused to high-value investments and property acquisitions both in India and abroad.

Further investigations revealed that the accused, including Joni alias Joni Tyagi, Dakshya Sethi, Raghav Satiha, Nikhil Verma, Gaurav Verma, and Gautam Dhingra, had invested the proceeds of their crimes into real estate in Haryana, Delhi, and Goa. Consequently, assets worth ₹187.12 crore were seized under the PMLA, 2002. The investigation is ongoing.

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