Ranchi PMLA Court Sentences Five in Cyber Fraud Case, Confiscates Properties Worth Rs 68 Lakh

The PMLA Court in Ranchi sentenced five individuals to five years in prison and imposed fines for their involvement in a cyber fraud case. Properties worth Rs 68 lakh were confiscated. The accused used deceptive means to obtain bank account details and siphon funds from victims' accounts.

In a significant ruling, the PMLA Court in Ranchi sentenced five individuals to five years of rigorous imprisonment each for their involvement in a cyber fraud case. Alongside the prison sentences, the court imposed a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh on each accused, with an additional six months of simple imprisonment if they fail to pay the fine.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) announced on Wednesday that properties worth around Rs 68 lakh, connected to the cyber fraud, were confiscated. The investigation revealed that the accused habitually engaged in illegally withdrawing money from ATMs and bank accounts of various individuals. The perpetrators were identified as Pradeep Kumar Mandal, Pintu Mandal, Ganesh Mandal, Ankush Kumar Mandal, and Santosh Mandal, all residents of Jamtara, Jharkhand.

The fraud involved gathering mobile numbers of bank customers and posing as bank officials to dupe victims into providing OTPs for further fund transfers. The siphoned funds were funneled through e-wallets and bank accounts, eventually used to purchase properties and fund a lavish lifestyle. Searches during the investigation led to the seizure of cash, vehicles, mobile phones, and immovable properties valued at Rs 68 lakh, validated by the PMLA Court for confiscation.

(With inputs from agencies.)