The Enforcement Directorate (ED) interrogated actress Tamannaah Bhatia regarding a money laundering case connected to the HPZ Token App. According to the ED, ‘dummy’ directors from several fictitious companies established bank accounts and merchant IDs. Nationwide raids were conducted, resulting in the seizure of immovable properties and deposits worth Rs 455 crore.
Tamannaah Bhatia’s statement was recorded at the ED’s regional office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). She received a fee for participating as a celebrity in the company’s program, and there are currently no criminal allegations against her. The case involves allegations that numerous investors were deceived with promises of substantial returns through Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
In this investigation, the ED filed a charge sheet in March, naming 299 companies, including 76 that are controlled by Chinese interests, with 10 directors of Chinese descent and two entities managed by foreign nationals. The case was initiated based on a complaint from the Cyber Crime Unit of the Kohima Police. The accused have been charged under different sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act for defrauding investors with promises of high returns on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.