Enforcement Directorate Seizes Properties, Charges Five in $11 Million Cyber and Crypto Fraud

TLDR

• Enforcement Directorate filed charges against five accused in a ₹104.15 crore cyber fraud.
• One suspect, Bassam Doctor, is absconding and allegedly received most of the laundered funds via a non-KYC crypto wallet.
• The accused used fake notices impersonating ED, CBI, TRAI, and the Supreme Court to scam victims nationwide.
• Funds were directed through mule accounts, withdrawn in cash, and layered using hawala channels before being converted to crypto.
• Authorities seized three properties worth nearly $1 million; police warn the public to avoid sharing data with unknown online sources.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed charges against five individuals in a fraud case involving Rs. 104.15 crore. The case includes cyber scams, fake agency notices, and digital asset laundering. Four suspects are in custody, while one is absconding with funds traced to crypto wallets.

Five Charged Under PMLA for Online Fraud Schemes

The Surat sub-zonal office of the ED filed a charge sheet in Ahmedabad under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The accused are linked to fake investment tips, fraudulent notices, and impersonating law enforcement to extort funds from victims.

Makbul Abdul Rehman, Kaashif Makbul, Mahesh Mafatlal Desai, Om Rajendra Pandya, and Mitesh Gokulbhai Thakkar are named in the complaint. According to the ED, the group used digital tools and social engineering tactics to defraud individuals across India.

The charge sheet is based on inputs from the Surat Police’s special operations group (SOG). The ED stated that its investigation began in October 2025 following multiple reports of financial fraud. The suspects allegedly ran fake investment platforms, using fear-based messaging and impersonation of agencies to gain trust. The group sent false notices pretending to represent ED, TRAI, CBI, and the Supreme Court.

Fugitive Used Crypto Wallet to Receive Laundered Funds

The ED revealed that Bassam Doctor, a key suspect, is absconding and currently hiding in an Arab country.  Officials claim he received the majority of illicit funds through non-KYC crypto wallets. “Most of the proceeds were traced to Bassam Doctor’s crypto wallet,” stated an official release by the ED.

The ED believes he coordinated the laundering of money collected from victims via mule accounts. Funds moved through multiple bank accounts were withdrawn in cash and routed through hawala operators. Authorities have seized three properties valued at nearly $1 million linked to the proceeds of the crimes.

The group used fake police setups and documents to legitimize their demands and collect digital assets from victims. They purchased luxury goods and services online to disguise spending and make tracking more difficult. The ED recovered fake challans, pre-activated SIM cards, and forged agency documents during raids.  Police have urged the public to stay alert online and avoid disclosing personal data to unknown parties.

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