Hyderabad, June 3: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Nazneen Ansari, also known as Abida, in connection with a fraud case involving the Diamond Group. This action was taken under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The ED initiated its investigation based on multiple FIRs filed by the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh police against Nohera Sheikh and companies associated with the Diamond Group. They are accused of defrauding investors by collecting substantial deposits under fraudulent investment schemes.
The investigation revealed that Nazneen Ansari worked as a personal assistant to Nohera Sheikh. She was actively involved in managing properties seized by the ED, collecting rent from them, enticing new victims to invest in the Diamond Group, and misleading various authorities.
Further inquiries showed that she retained and utilized these seized properties, which were classified as “proceeds of crime.” Despite being fully aware of the ongoing investigation against the Diamond Group, she continued to assist in collecting investments from various victims.
Evidence collected during the investigation indicated that Nazneen Ansari knowingly aided in activities such as retaining, using, concealing, and legitimizing “proceeds of crime,” thereby committing the offense of money laundering as defined under Section 3 of the PMLA, 2002.
She possessed several seized properties that the ED had placed for auction, following directives from the Supreme Court. Additionally, she was aware of the Supreme Court’s orders regarding the auction but deliberately obstructed the auction process. She instructed her subordinates to prevent any inspection of the seized properties and to misrepresent them as “unencumbered” assets.
The ED has once again demonstrated that any attempts to evade legal proceedings, interfere with investigations, or obstruct the lawful auction process will not succeed.
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