The directive marks a renewed push to uncover complex layering structures and trace beneficial ownership behind global money laundering networks.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has set sharp investigative priorities for the next quarter, focusing on dismantling foreign linked financial crime networks. These range from offshore assets in hubs like Dubai and Singapore to trade based laundering systems that disguise illicit funds as legitimate commerce.
Senior officials at the 34th Quarterly Conference of Zonal Officers in Guwahati, Assam, emphasized the urgency of tracing overseas crime proceeds, scrutinizing manipulated invoices, and exposing undervalued imports used to siphon funds abroad.
Along with tracking foreign assets, the Directorate has identified high-risk economic crime areas digital arrest scams, cyber fraud, illegal betting networks, and drug-linked hawala channels as key targets requiring coordinated action across zones.
Officers have been instructed to intensify investigations into these growing financial crime ecosystems. Focus areas include unregulated online gaming platforms, market-manipulation schemes using shell entities, and misuse of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to protect illicit assets.
The ED also highlighted concerns about foreign interference and illicit funding for anti national activities, directing units to examine suspicious cross-border flows and take legal action where possible.
Priority Areas Highlighted at the Conference
Tracking Foreign Assets:
Zonal heads were directed to strengthen efforts to trace and secure overseas crime proceeds, especially in jurisdictions such as Dubai and Singapore. The use of international cooperation, financial intelligence, and cross border fund analysis was emphasized to uncover layering structures and beneficial ownership behind offshore assets.
Trade-Based Money Laundering:
Officers were advised to closely examine cases involving manipulated trade invoices, undervalued imports, and other trade based laundering methods. Coordination with customs and other agencies is essential to detect illicit capital outflows disguised as legitimate trade and to identify proceeds linked to various predicate offences.
Misuse of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC):
Potential collusion between corporate debtors, resolution professionals, creditors, and other stakeholders was flagged for scrutiny. Cases where IBC is misused to evade attachment proceedings or legitimize crime proceeds must be carefully investigated.
Digital Arrest Scams and Cyber Fraud:
With the rise of digital arrest scams and cyber enabled financial fraud, zones were urged to prioritize these cases, particularly those involving organized syndicates, cross-border elements, and large scale victimization. Emphasis was placed on digital forensics and financial trail analysis.
Illegal Betting and Online Gaming Platforms:
The spread of illegal betting apps and unregulated online gaming platforms was identified as a growing challenge. Officers should focus on dismantling financial networks behind these platforms, including payment gateways, mule accounts, and offshore operators.
Drug Trafficking and Hawala Networks:
Recognizing the link between narcotics and money laundering, zones were directed to target the financial backbone of drug syndicates. Identifying hawala channels, cash couriers, and cross border remittance routes linked to drug proceeds was made a priority, in line with the Government’s ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ vision.
Share Market Manipulation:
Cases involving artificial stock price inflation, circular trading, and shell entities used to launder money through the securities market were flagged as high-risk. Officers were encouraged to use detailed financial and forensic analysis to detect these sophisticated schemes.
Foreign Interference and Illicit Funding for Anti National Activities:
The conference stressed vigilance over foreign funding channels that may support unlawful narratives, destabilizing activities, or anti national purposes. Field units were instructed to examine suspicious cross-border financial flows and register legal cases where possible to counter these threats.
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