ED questions actor Tamanna Bhatia in HPZ App fraud case
This app allegedly deceived numerous investors under the guise of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency mining
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has questioned actress Tamannaah Bhatia n a money laundering case related to the ‘HPZ Token’ mobile application.
This app allegedly deceived numerous investors under the guise of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency mining.
The ‘HPZ Token’ app was used by the perpetrators to defraud investors. The ED revealed that several ‘shell entities’ with ‘dummy directors’ opened bank accounts and merchant IDs to facilitate the ‘layering’ of illicit funds. These funds were allegedly obtained through illegal online gaming, betting, and investments in Bitcoin mining,
The officials stated that it was alleged that she reportedly received payments for a ‘celebrity appearance’ at an event for the app company, but there are no ‘incriminating’ allegations against her.
The charge sheet filed by the ED in March names 299 entities as accused, including 76 linked to Chinese interests, with 10 directors of Chinese origin and two entities managed by other foreign nationals.
The money laundering investigation in HOZ app case stems from a report by the cybercrime unit of Kohima Police, which filed charges against several individuals under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act. The accused reportedly promised high returns to ‘gullible’ investors through Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining.
Bhatia was earlier questioned for her involvement with the Mahadev betting app. In April, she was summoned by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell for allegedly promoting Indian Premier League (IPL) games on the FairPlay app, which is a subsidiary of Mahadev.
