The ED was raided at the hideout of the visa agent in Kurukshetra. (File photo)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), while taking major action on the illegal Dunki route network spread in Punjab and Haryana, raided 7 locations in Mansa (Punjab), Kurukshetra and Karnal (Haryana) on July 11. This action in the Money Laundering Prevention Act (PMLA), 2002
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The ED on Sunday issued an official statement related to recovery regarding this raid. According to the ED, this Red was done on the basis of evidence found in another raid conducted on 9 July.
During this time the ED has recovered large amounts of fake documents, fake seals of many countries, visa templates and objectionable materials, which the ED has taken over. It is believed that these goods were being used in the racket to send abroad illegally.
The ED is now investigating the identity of the people involved in this network and the transaction of money behind sending them abroad. According to officials, there may be more arrests in this case soon.
Used for fake government stamps to send abroad The investigation revealed that fake immigration stamps and foreign visa stamps were used to manipulate Indians’ travel records and make them look valid. On the basis of these fake documents, people were transported to America and other countries from dangerous and illegal dunki route. In these routes, people crossed the border of many countries illegally and during this time the donkers of the smuggling network helped them.
The ED said that during the raids strong evidence has been found that people who were raided were directly involved in this illegal business. Many of them also earned a large amount of movable and immovable properties from this business. The seized documents and equipment also revealed that money was being sent abroad through hawala.
Money was delivered to foreign agencies through hawala Earlier investigations by ED also revealed that this network associated with illegal immigration and Dunky route includes middlemen, travel agents, Indian and abroad citizens. Many agents charged millions of rupees in the name of sending people abroad by pretending to have legal journey. He used to contact his customers through secret WhatsApp chat and encrypted platform.
The ED said that the investigation has also revealed that these agents have paid through hawala with abroad counter parts (equivalent officers). Illegal boarding passes and fake documents were prepared, which were later used for the Dunky Route.
The ED said the investigation continues rapidly to expose the entire network and catch the culprits. So far, many important clues have been found and more arrests may happen soon.