By Thesourcewire.com and PTI – published by Etvbharat.com
INDIA’S Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an extensive probe into a fake passport and money laundering racket involving a Kolkata-based businessman who allegedly made over 900 trips to Bangkok using multiple forged travel documents.
The businessman from Khardah area, identified as Vinod Gupta, allegedly travelled to Bangkok nearly 900 times over the past 10 years, an official said.
“We are now probing into the reason behind such frequent visits abroad. The trips are suspected to be linked to a wider network involved in the fake passport racket,” the official told PTI.
Sources said the businessman is suspected of using fake passports and shell companies to facilitate large-scale money transfers and illegal foreign remittances. The ED is investigating potential links to human trafficking, betting networks, and high-value financial crimes.
Officials have also sought data from the Immigration Bureau and Ministry of External Affairs to trace the suspect’s foreign contacts and travel history. Several middlemen and travel agents are under scrutiny for allegedly arranging duplicate passports and falsified visa entries.
The case underscores growing concerns about the misuse of Indian passports and loopholes in border security systems, with the ED calling it one of the most audacious travel-related scams in recent years.
Following leads from those operations, investigators reached Gupta’s residence in Khardah on Tuesday and conducted an extensive search that continued till late at night, the official said. Several documents were seized during the raid, and officials claim to have found “vital and suspicious” information, the official added.
During questioning, Gupta reportedly told investigators that he runs a spice trading business, and his frequent trips to Bangkok were related to that, he said.
“Gupta is also involved in foreign exchange (forex) trading, and investigators are examining whether his Bangkok visits were linked to illegal forex transactions,” the official said, adding that Gupta’s financial dealings appeared suspicious.
“He might be summoned for further questioning,” the official added. The fake passport case took a new turn in October when the ED arrested Azad Mallik, a Pakistani national, in connection with the racket.
Based on his interrogation, ED officials conducted searches across several areas near the Gede border in North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts. Another accused, Indubhushan Halder, was arrested from Shibpur in Nadia soon after.
“We obtained Gupta’s name after interrogating Halder. It appears that the money earned by Halder and others through the fake passport racket was invested in forex trading, which eventually led investigators to Gupta,” the official said.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – Image used for representational purposes. Photo – PTI and published by The Hindu
Insert Representational Image. Getty Images and published by Etvbharat.com
Also read:
Govt only needs 30-day time to combat transnational scammer rackets: Prasert
PM concerned over potential world boycotts against Thailand over scammers
Starlink internet shutoff suggested to deactivate Khmer-based scammers
Ex-Democrat leader Chalermchai tipped to join Thammanat’s camp
