ED Files Supplementary PMLA Complaint Against 13 Accused in Pearlvine Ponzi Scam
Court / Authority
Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
Update / Judgement Date
21 Jun 2026
Source
WCP News Bulletin
Author
Manas Yadav — WCP Legal Desk
Reading Time
2 min read
View Count
Background
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Shillong Sub-Zonal Office, has filed a Supplementary Prosecution Complaint (SPC) before the Special Court (PMLA), Shillong, on January 16, 2026, against 13 accused persons, including Neeraj Kumar Gupta, his associated companies, and other associates, in connection with the Pearlvine International Ponzi scam, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).
The ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered by CID, Meghalaya Police, following a complaint by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Shillong, and a charge sheet filed under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Pearlvine International allegedly operated a Ponzi scheme through its website www.pearlvine.com, collecting a minimum membership fee of Rs. 2,250 between 2018 and March 2023, during which it claimed to have up to 80 lakh members. The ED has quantified the Proceeds of Crime (PoC) at Rs. 1,575 crore, with at least Rs. 395.35 crore allegedly defrauded. According to the SPC, Neeraj Kumar Gupta, the alleged mastermind, exercised exclusive control over the platform and layered illicit funds through companies under his control, acquiring properties worth approximately Rs. 60.88 crore.
The ED has so far attached assets worth Rs. 54.98 crore. Further investigation is ongoing.
Full Judgement / Attachment
Full Judgement
Frequently asked questions about Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
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- The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), in the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, administers customs, central excise and the Central GST and IGST. It issues notifications, circulars and instructions that field formations follow.
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- Bills of entry and shipping bills are filed electronically through ICEGATE, the CBIC's customs e-commerce gateway. Most bills of entry are assessed under the Faceless Assessment system.
- How do I appeal against a customs order?
- A first appeal lies to the Commissioner (Customs Appeals) within 60 days, with a pre-deposit of 7.5 per cent of the duty in dispute. A further appeal lies to the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) within three months, with a pre-deposit of 10 per cent.
- Where are CBIC notifications published?
- Notifications and circulars on customs, GST and central excise are published on the CBIC website (cbic.gov.in) and in the Gazette of India, under separate series for tariff and non-tariff notifications.
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- Post your requirement on White Collar Professional to receive proposals from verified Chartered Accountants, customs brokers and Advocates, compare them, and pay securely through the platform. This page also tracks the latest customs or CBIC CBIC and customs updates as they are reported.
