ED attaches 56 flats,16 villas worth over 7 cr in Goa

New Delhi: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached 56 flats, 16 villas and bank balance of two persons in a case of cheating foreigners in Goa.

The said properties are in the name of Sanatan Financers & Real Estates Pvt Ltd, Goa and located in Peace Valley, Deumol, Sirvoi, Goa  under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), an official statement said here on Saturday.

 The federal financial probing agency's move comes after the registration of FIRs  by Goa Police under sections 120-B, 420, 504 read with  34 of IPC against Sanatan Financers & Real Estates Pvt Ltd, Ankit Kumar and Sunil Kumar, on the complaints lodged by foreign nationals. 

The accused-- Ankit Kumar and Sunil Kumar-- illegally collected funds from these foreign nationals in the guise of selling properties under the Project named as "Peace Valley" situated at  Quepem in Goa.

During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the accused had collected money from foreign nationals through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) route in the accounts of their various shell companies including Sanatan Financers & Real Estates Pvt Ltd. 

These gullible foreign nationals were induced to invest in the companies formed by accused Ankit Kumar and  Sunil Kumar, towards purchase of flats, villas situated in their project named 'Peace Valley' at Quepem in Goa. However, the ownership of said properties was never transferred to foreign nationals, the probe agency said. 

"In this manner during the period from 2006 to 2011, the accused had received Rs 7.73 crore by duping the foreign nationals and acquired 16 villas worth Rs 2.56 crore and 56 flats in Goa worth Rs 5.17 crore. These assets and  balance in the account being 'Proceeds of Crime' have been provisionally attached under PMLA", the ED said, adding that further investigation in this case has been under progress.(UNI)