Hyderabad: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Hyderabad zonal office, have conducted search operations under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on the residence of an alleged conman, Sandeep Desai. The searches led to the recovery and seizure of multiple SIM cards and mobile phones allegedly used by the conman to extort money from individuals under investigation by ED.
Earlier, ED on Dec 19, 2024, conducted search operations under the PMLA on two premises in the city associated with CSK Realtors and Singh Mansions. Following these searches, the investigation revealed that Sandeep Desai, posing as a senior ED officer, contacted Suresh Kumar Agarwal, managing director of CSK Realtors. Using information obtained from ED’s press release, Desai attempted to extort money from Agarwal under the pretense of having influence within ED.
The conman, using three different mobile numbers, reached out to Agarwal via WhatsApp, introducing himself as ‘Rakesh’, a cousin or friend of an ED officer. He persuaded Agarwal to meet him at a five-star hotel, where he demanded a large sum of money in exchange for purported assistance in the ongoing PMLA investigation against CSK Realtors.
On learning of the extortion attempt, ED officers encouraged Agarwal to file a formal complaint. Acting swiftly, ED identified Sandeep Desai through CCTV footage and surveillance, pinpointing his location. Subsequent search operations at his residence on Jan 3, 2025. During the investigation, Desai reportedly admitted to attempting to extort money from Agarwal by falsely claiming connections with ED officers.
A source in ED said: “If CSK had made any payment, then it would be crime proceeds. Since no payment was made, then Section 3 of the PMLA comes in. There is an attempt to extort. The conman was not arrested. We will name him as accused in the prosecution complaint of Sahithi along with CSK Realtors.”
