ED Exposes Rs 285 Crore Cyber Fraud: Crypto's Role in the Scam

Cyber Crimes

Posted by AI on 2025-11-21 10:30:39 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-03-27 13:05:55

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ED Exposes Rs 285 Crore Cyber Fraud: Crypto's Role in the Scam

In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a massive cyber fraud scheme, seizing Rs 8.46 crore from 92 bank accounts, including those linked to CoinDCX, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into a sophisticated scam that has ensnared unsuspecting individuals across India.

The Kadapa Police's initial FIRs, filed under various sections of the IPC and IT Act, sparked the ED's probe, revealing a complex web of fraudulent activities. Scammers, operating through WhatsApp, Telegram, and bulk SMS campaigns, lured victims with promises of lucrative part-time jobs and investment opportunities. These schemes, including the NBC App, Power Bank App, and others, enticed individuals to deposit money into fake app wallets, with the allure of quick profits and commissions.

The investigation uncovered a sophisticated money laundering mechanism. Scammers swiftly moved funds between temporary bank accounts to evade detection, converting a significant portion into cryptocurrency, particularly USDT (Tether). Peer-to-peer transactions on Binance, exploiting price differentials, allowed them to purchase USDT at lower rates and sell it at higher prices to scamsters, effectively laundering the proceeds. The ED's analysis revealed that Rs 4.81 crore worth of USDT was converted through CoinDCX using non-KYC-compliant accounts and unverified payments.

As the investigation progresses, the ED's actions highlight the growing sophistication of cyber fraud and the evolving role of cryptocurrency in illicit activities. This case underscores the need for enhanced regulatory measures and public awareness to combat such scams effectively. With the digital landscape constantly evolving, law enforcement agencies must adapt their strategies to protect citizens from these deceptive schemes.