ED Arrests Hacker Sriki in Bitcoin Scam Linked to Congress Leader
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested notorious hacker Srikrishna Ramesh, alias Sriki, and two others in Bengaluru in connection with a major cryptocurrency-linked money laundering investigation. The arrests follow intensified raids across multiple locations, including premises allegedly connected to Congress leader Mohammed Haris Nalapad and Aqeeb Rahman Khan. The ED alleges that Nalapad, his brother Omar Farook Nalapad, and Khan were close associates of Sriki and primary beneficiaries of the illicit proceeds. The case centers on a long-standing probe into illegal Bitcoin transactions, hacking, and darknet activities, notably involving the alleged theft of 60.6 bitcoins from the Unocoin exchange in 2017. Sriki, who had previously been granted bail in 2024 due to procedural delays by the Special Investigation Team, was remanded to ED custody for ten days. This development has sparked significant political controversy in Karnataka, with investigators examining potential mishandling of seized cryptocurrencies and financial trails linking the accused to influential political figures. The investigation continues under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, highlighting deepening scrutiny of cybercrime networks intertwined with political elites.
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ED Arrests Hacker Sriki in Bitcoin Scam Linked to Congress Leader
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested notorious hacker Srikrishna Ramesh, alias Sriki, and two others in Bengaluru in connection with a major cryptocurrency-linked money laundering investigation. The arrests follow intensified raids across multiple locations, including premises allegedly connected to Congress leader Mohammed Haris Nalapad and Aqeeb Rahman Khan. The ED alleges that Nalapad, his brother Omar Farook Nalapad, and Khan were close associates of Sriki and primary beneficiaries of the illicit proceeds. The case centers on a long-standing probe into illegal Bitcoin transactions, hacking, and darknet activities, notably involving the alleged theft of 60.6 bitcoins from the Unocoin exchange in 2017. Sriki, who had previously been granted bail in 2024 due to procedural delays by the Special Investigation Team, was remanded to ED custody for ten days. This development has sparked significant political controversy in Karnataka, with investigators examining potential mishandling of seized cryptocurrencies and financial trails linking the accused to influential political figures. The investigation continues under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, highlighting deepening scrutiny of cybercrime networks intertwined with political elites.
The Indian Express