ED seizes crypto during Goa land scam searches | Goa News

Panaji: The Enforcement Directorate, Panaji, conducted searches at six different locations in Goa, New Delhi, and Chandigarh on Tuesday in connection with alleged land grab cases, and seized cryptocurrency worth around 1.5 lakh USDT.The operation was conducted under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the scam involving Yeshwant Sawant and others.“The search operations were undertaken at the premises of Umar Zahoor Shah and Neeraj Sharma, both partners of Ms Thinking of You, and Rajesh Kumar, one of the directors of Ms Purple Martini Entertainment. These searches led to the discovery of crypto wallets containing cryptocurrencies worth approximately 1.5 lakh USDT, which were frozen. Notes and digital records indicating the investment of cash into various land parcels were also recovered during the operation,” said the ED.The ED initiated an investigation based on an FIR registered by Goa police against Sawant and others under various sections of the IPC, 1860, for allegedly defrauding the Comunidade of Anjuna of its land located at survey no. 496/1-A, Anjuna. “The accused are alleged to have produced fake and forged documents before the authorities concerned to mutate the land in their names and subsequently sold portions of it to other individuals, thereby generating proceeds of crime (PoC),” said the ED.Earlier, in Aug, the ED conducted search operations that led to the identification of several land parcels fraudulently acquired by Shivshankar Mayekar and others in the names of their friends and relatives. “These properties, spanning several lakh sqm, are located in prime tourist areas such as Anjuna and Assagao in Bardez. Subsequently, Mayekar was arrested on Oct 1 for his involvement in the illegal acquisition of these land parcels,” the ED said.“During the latest search operations, the ED recovered several incriminating documents, including memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and lease agreements pertaining to multiple land parcels across Goa,” the ED said. “These documents were signed between key individuals involved in the land grabbing case and other associated persons. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of illegal land-related activities in Goa.”Further investigation is in progress.