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Torres Jewellery Scam: EOW Raids Uncover ₹3 Crore In Cash, Arrests Three In Multi-Crore Fraud

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) conducted raids at six locations as part of its investigation into the multi-crore fraud involving Torres Company. The raids targeted the company’s offices in Dadar, Lower Parel, and Opera House, along with the residences of three accused individuals in Colaba, Umerkhadi (Dongri), and Dombivli.

During the operation, the EOW seized ₹3 crore in cash from the company’s offices and the residences of the accused. The cash was counted using two specialized machines. Several crucial documents were also recovered. Confirming the action, a senior EOW official identified the arrested individuals as Tania Casatova (Uzbekistan) from Colaba, Valentina Ganesh Kumar (Russia) from Dombivli, and Sarvesh Surve from Umerkhadi.

According to EOW sources, absconding accused Mohammed Tausif Riaz, alias John Carter, has submitted a 182-page report. The report alleges that the same individuals behind the Torres fraud were also responsible for the 2019 B2B jewelry scam in Ukraine and Russia. This report, shared with other agencies, is currently under scrutiny.

The investigation revealed that foreign suspects, including Valentina Kumar, Tania Casatova, and Victoria Kovalenko, used fake identification documents to purchase Indian SIM cards, reportedly paying over ₹12,000 for each. The SIM cards were allegedly procured from Nepal. Two of these suspects have been arrested.

The EOW suspects that Torres Company operated a Ponzi scheme under the guise of a jewelry business. Evidence of tax evasion and money laundering has emerged. Arrested suspect Sarvesh Surve claimed he was a director and shareholder but denied involvement in the company’s operations. This claim is under investigation.

Fraud Scope and Online Activities:

The EOW is also examining Torres Company’s Instagram account, where misleading posts and videos continue to lure victims. The Cyber Cell is aiding in identifying the locations and individuals responsible for these activities. Three bank accounts linked to Torres Company have been frozen, with further efforts underway to seize additional assets.

Official estimates currently place the fraud at ₹23 crore. However, authorities suspect it could exceed ₹1,000 crore, given the increasing number of complaints.

Complaints and Seizures

DCP Sangramsingh Nishandar (EOW) confirmed that more than 350 complaint forms have been received so far. “Cash exceeding ₹3 crore, silver, stones, investment papers, and other valuables have been seized. Over 15 luxury cars were delivered to customers, with five more bookings still pending,” he stated, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing.

A Look-Out Circular (LOC) has been issued against Victoria Kovalenko (38), a resident of Ukraine, and Mohammed Tausif Riyaz alias John Carter (33), a resident of Mumbai.

Business

ED arrests real estate firm MD in PMLA case, accused sent to 14-day custody

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New Delhi, Nov 15: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Ocean Seven Buildtech Pvt. Ltd. (OSBPL) Managing Director Swaraj Singh Yadav after conducting searches at nine locations across Delhi-NCR and other regions in a money-laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, an agency statement said on Saturday.

The action stems from allegations that Yadav diverted and laundered funds collected from homebuyers across multiple projects, including those under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

The searches on Thursday led to the recovery of Rs 86 lakh in cash, suspected to be proceeds of crime, along with incriminating documents and digital evidence.

According to the ED, Yadav orchestrated a large-scale diversion of homebuyer funds through fraudulent cancellation and resale of units at inflated prices, cash-based premiums collected outside banking channels, and misuse of escrow accounts.

He allegedly routed substantial sums into shell entities and concealed cash proceeds with relatives, the ED statement said.

Investigators also found a pattern of rapid liquidation of assets held personally and through company entities in Gurugram, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, which the agency believes was intended to secure illicit gains and evade legal scrutiny.

His wife and children have already relocated to the United States, the probe revealed.

The agency said Yadav operated a dual-payment mechanism in the resale of PMAY flats and even in the sale of parking spaces — routing only nominal amounts through banks while collecting the bulk in cash. These activities form part of a wider probe linked to multiple FIRs alleging cheating, forgery, and other predicate offences.

Following his arrest, Yadav was produced before the Court of ASJ-06 at Patiala House Courts on Friday, in compliance with Supreme Court directions.

After detailed submissions from both sides and a pass-over granted to allow him legal assistance, the court sent him to ED custody for 14 days, until November 28.

The agency has been directed to produce him before the court at 2 p.m. on the date of expiry of remand.

The ED said it is pursuing further investigation to trace, freeze, and attach assets acquired from the laundered funds, to ensure recovery and restitution to affected homebuyers.

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IndiGo to start flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport from Dec 25

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Mumbai, Nov 15: Low-cost airline IndiGo on Saturday announced flight operations from the newly-opened Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) starting December 25, connecting the airport to 10 cities across the country.

IndiGo will connect the future-ready airport to 10 cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, North Goa (Mopa), Jaipur, Nagpur, Cochin, and Mangalore, the airline said in a statement.

The airline said it plans to expand operations at NMIA progressively by adding direct routes to more destinations in due course.

NMIA, the second airport in the Mumbai metropolitan area, is designed to complement Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and meet growing demand for air travel from India’s financial capital.

NMIA is expected to enhance regional connectivity and support economic development in western India due to its strategic location.

By enhancing regional connectivity and supporting economic development in western India, the launch of IndiGo’s operations will connect the airport to its vast domestic network of 95 airports across the country, it added.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, as a major achievement in India’s economic development and “a symbol of Bharat’s aspirations”.

PM Modi said that Mumbai welcomed its second international airport, marking a significant milestone in its journey to becoming Asia’s premier connectivity hub. “Through this new airport, the farmers of Maharashtra will be able to connect with supermarkets in Europe and the Middle East as well,” he observed.

NMIA will ease congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and significantly increase India’s aviation capacity.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport Private is designed to accommodate both domestic and international passengers, featuring state-of-the-art facilities. It includes a 3,700-metre runway capable of handling large commercial aircraft, modern passenger terminals, and advanced air traffic control systems.

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Stock markets end week on a strong note as NDA secures landmark win in Bihar

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Mumbai, Nov 15: Indian equity markets ended the week on a strong note, with benchmark indices gaining on the resolution of the US government shutdown, supported by strong domestic fundamentals, better-than-expected Q2 earnings, easing inflation and NDA’s historic victory in Bihar, according to analysts.

Record-low October inflation reinforced expectations of an RBI rate cut, adding momentum to domestic equities.

According to Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, sectoral momentum was broad-based, led by gains in IT, Pharma, healthcare and Auto stocks.

“Toward the week’s close, the NDA’s Bihar election victory bolstered investor confidence, but fading expectations of a U.S. Fed rate cut triggered profit booking in IT stocks, tempering their earlier gains,” he mentioned.

The indices remained under pressure for most of the session on Friday, oscillating between losses and brief recoveries, before a strong late-afternoon rebound pushed them into the green.

Volatility picked up as markets tracked the Bihar election outcome, the day’s key trigger.

Sentiment was also weighed down by weak global cues after Wall Street fell sharply overnight, led by declines in Nvidia and other tech majors as investors dialled back hopes of near-term rate cuts amid lingering inflation worries, according to a note by Bajaj Broking Research.

At close, the Sensex ended 84 points or 0.1 per cent higher at 84,563, while the Nifty finished 31 points up at 25,910. Sectoral trends were mixed, with PSU banks leading gains at 1.17 per cent, followed by firm moves in pharma and FMCG.

Energy and infrastructure saw mild upticks. On the downside, IT declined 1.03 per cent, while auto, metal, and realty ended lower.

Among the broader market space, Nifty Small-cap 100 rose 0.38 per cent, while the Midcap 100 gained 0.08 per cent.

According to analysts, Nifty on the weekly chart has formed a strong bull candle with a higher high and a higher low signaling pullback after two weeks of corrective decline, “in line with our expectations from the key support area of 25,400-25,300”.

Going ahead, bias continues to remain positive and a follow through strength above last month high of 26,100 will open upside towards the previous all-time high of 26,277 in the coming week.

Looking ahead, market direction will hinge on key macro triggers such as India’s PMI data, US jobless claims, FOMC minutes and progress on US–India trade negotiations.

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