ED Arrests Four Accused in Cybercrime and Money Laundering Case Involving Rs. 100 Crore.

Headnote:

Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Surat Sub-Zonal Office, has arrested four persons under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) in connection with a cybercrime investigation involving over Rs. 100 Crore of Proceeds of Crime (POC). The accused allegedly defrauded individuals through digital frauds, forex trading scams, and fake notices of law enforcement agencies. They laundered the POC through bank accounts in associates’ names and by converting proceeds into cryptocurrency (USDT) via Hawala networks. ED obtained five days’ custody from the Special Court (PMLA), Ahmedabad, for further investigation.

Background:

The ED initiated investigation under the PMLA based on an FIR registered by the Special Operation Group, Surat Police on 15/10/2024, against Makbul Abdul Rehman Doctor and others for multiple cyber frauds. The accused allegedly defrauded innocent individuals through digital arrests, forex trading scams, and by sending fake notices of agencies including the Supreme Court and ED. Investigation revealed that the accused laundered over Rs. 100 Crore through bank accounts of associates and employees, using pre-activated SIM cards and converting cash into cryptocurrency via Hawala networks to evade regulatory scrutiny.

Court Opinion / Orders:

The accused were produced before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Ahmedabad. The Court, after considering the investigation report and severity of allegations, granted five days’ ED custody for further investigation, emphasizing the need to trace proceeds of crime, assets, and laundering networks.

Outcome:

1. Four accused persons placed in ED custody for five days.
2. Further investigation ongoing into laundering of over Rs. 100 Crore.
3. Banking and cryptocurrency transactions being scrutinized to trace illicit funds.

Legal Provision Concerned:

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)

Section 19: Power of ED to arrest persons involved in money laundering.

Sections 3 & 4: Offences relating to laundering of proceeds of crime.

Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023

Relevant Sections invoked for cyber fraud, cheating, and criminal conspiracy.

Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973

Sections 41 & 167: Arrest and custody procedures for investigation.

Case Details:

Case No.: FIR No. 11210005241161/2024 (Surat Police)

Court: Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Ahmedabad

Date of Arrest/Order: 10/10/2025

Accused: Makbul Abdul Rehman Doctor, Kaashif Makbul Doctor, Mahesh Mafatlal Desai, Om Rajendra Pandya

Investigating Agency: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Surat Sub-Zonal Office

Relevant Statutes: Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002; Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023