ED Conducts Surprise Raids Across Telugu States

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is reportedly conducting simultaneous searches at 15 locations across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad and Vijayawada. The searches are linked to a First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Pune Cyber Crime Police Station in Maharashtra. The agency is investigating suspected money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), focusing on alleged interstate networks involved in online betting applications and fraudulent investment apps. These networks are suspected of luring ordinary people with promises of high returns and collecting large sums of money through deceptive schemes.

According to reports, the latest searches follow raids conducted last week in Delhi, Mumbai and Gurugram, during which investigators reportedly seized important documents. Information gathered during those operations is believed to have led officials to suspected agents and hawala operators in the Telugu states. Investigators suspect that money collected through betting activities was routed abroad through shell companies and cryptocurrency transactions. Officials are examining financial records, transaction documents and digital devices at the premises of suspected individuals. Reports also indicate that cash, bank account details and evidence of hawala transactions may have been found, although the details require official confirmation.