ED Cracks Down on Conman Sandeep Desai, Recovers Multiple SIM Cards & Mobile Phones in Hyderabad
(Judicial Quest News Network)
In a significant operation, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Hyderabad Zonal Office, launched a search operation on January 3, 2025, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The target was a notorious conman, Sandeep Desai, who has been exploiting the ED’s name to extort money from individuals under investigation.
The operation led to a breakthrough when multiple SIM cards and mobile phones, used by Desai in his deceitful activities, were seized from his residential premises in Hyderabad. These communication tools were integral to Desai’s attempts to blackmail and extort money from people involved in ongoing ED investigations.
This operation follows a previous one conducted by the ED on December 19, 2024, at two separate premises in Hyderabad. These premises were linked to M/s CSK Realtors Ltd. and M/s Singh Mansions Pvt. Ltd., both under investigation by the ED under the PMLA.
During the earlier search, Desai, capitalizing on the media coverage, targeted Shri Suresh Kumar Agarwal, the Managing Director of M/s CSK Realtors. Posing as a senior ED officer, Desai used three different mobile numbers to contact Agarwal via WhatsApp, falsely claiming to have inside connections with the ED. Desai convinced Agarwal to meet him at a luxurious five-star hotel in Hyderabad, where he introduced himself as ‘Rakesh,’ a supposed cousin or close associate of an ED officer.
In the meeting, Desai demanded a large sum of money, offering to use his alleged connections within the ED to influence the ongoing investigation into M/s CSK Realtors. Recognizing the scam, Agarwal, with the help of ED officers, filed a formal complaint, prompting the swift and coordinated action from the Enforcement Directorate.
Based on the complaint, ED officers meticulously tracked Desai’s movements using CCTV footage and surveillance. Their investigation led to a raid at his residence, where the seized mobile phones and SIM cards were discovered. During his interrogation, Desai admitted to attempting to extort money from Agarwal by posing as an ED officer and misleading him about his fabricated connections.
The Enforcement Directorate has also issued a public notice regarding such conmen, advising the public to remain vigilant. More details can be found on the ED’s official website, which includes a section titled ‘Note on Conman’. The investigation into Desai’s criminal activities continues, as the ED aims to uncover the full extent of his fraudulent operations.
The ED has warned the public to be cautious of individuals attempting to exploit official agencies for personal gain and urged those approached by such conmen to immediately report to the authorities.
