An Enforcement Directorate (ED) team was attacked on Thursday while conducting an investigation into a cybercrime network connected to the UAE-based Pyypl app. The incident occurred at a farmhouse in Delhi’s Bijwasan area, where the ED had arrived to investigate a chartered accountant suspected to be involved in fraudulent activities.
According to police sources, the attack took place early Thursday morning when the ED officials were conducting a raid at the farmhouse of Ashok Sharma, the main suspect in the case. Sharma, along with five others, including his family members and servants, allegedly assaulted the team. While the main accused managed to flee the scene, the police have launched a manhunt to apprehend him. An FIR has been filed by the ED regarding the attack.
During the assault, an additional director of the ED suffered minor injuries but continued with the investigation after receiving first aid, as confirmed by ED officials. The team was at the farmhouse as part of an ongoing investigation into a cybercrime network, which involves fraudulent schemes like phishing, QR code cheating, and part-time job scams.
The ED’s High Intensity Unit (HIU) had previously uncovered the laundering of illicit funds generated from these cybercrimes, which were channeled through approximately 15,000 mule accounts. The funds were then transferred to virtual accounts on the Pyypl payment platform, a UAE-based service, and later used to buy cryptocurrency.
The investigation also revealed that the operation was managed by a network of dubious chartered accountants, and the ED is continuing to probe the full extent of their involvement. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) are assisting in tracing the money trail linked to these illegal activities.
After the attack, the ED team visited the local police station, where authorities have ramped up their efforts to locate the suspects. Visuals from the scene depicted broken furniture in what appeared to be a living room, highlighting the chaos during the assault.
The ED is intensifying its efforts to uncover the scope of the cybercrime syndicate and ensure the apprehension of those involved.