Enforcement Directorate Conducts Raids in Hyderabad Over Money Laundering Case

In a significant development, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) carried out search operations under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, at various locations in Hyderabad. The operation is part of the money laundering case being investigated against Syed Burhanuddin and others, linked to a case involving cheating and forgery.

The ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered by the Hyderabad Police, responding to a complaint. The complaint alleged that Syed Burhanuddin, along with his associate Venkatraman Yadav, filed a false complaint before the Directorate of Enforcement, New Delhi, accusing an individual of money laundering, hawala, and other illegal activities. The FIR further claimed that Syed Burhanuddin forged documents, using a fake ED stamp, and presented a purported acknowledgment to suggest that the ED received the complaint. It was also alleged that he threatened the complainant with dire consequences and offered to settle his case for Rs. 10 Crore, falsely claiming proximity to ED officers and association with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The ED’s investigation brought to light multiple FIRs against Syed Burhanuddin, all featuring similar allegations and a common modus operandi. Burhanuddin is accused of approaching individuals with deceptive offers to settle their cases, projecting false associations with high-ranking officers from various organizations.

The search operations yielded the recovery and seizure of digital devices and incriminating documents, including property documents, papers revealing associations with various entities (including overseas), and documents indicating unaccounted property transactions.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities delve deeper into the alleged money laundering activities and related offenses.