Surat: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Surat Sub-Zonal Office, has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) before the Special Court (PMLA) in Ahmedabad against five accused—Makbul Abdul Rehman Doctor, Kaashif Makbul Doctor, Mahesh Mafatlal Desai, Om Rajendra Pandya, and Mitesh Gokulbhai Thakkar—under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, for the offence of money laundering.

The accused, in connivance with others, are alleged to have generated Proceeds of Crime (POC) amounting to Rs. 104.15 crore by defrauding individuals across the country through multiple cyber frauds.

The ED initiated the investigation based on findings from the Special Operation Group of Surat Police, which had probed the activities of Makbul Doctor, his sons Kaashif and Bassam Makbul Doctor, and others.

Modus Operandi

The accused devised various fraudulent schemes, including forex and stock market investment tips, digital arrests, and sending fake notices from law enforcement agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, TRAI, CBI, and even the Supreme Court of India. To intimidate victims, the accused set up fake police stations, with uniformed impersonators making video calls. They also issued fake notices and challans to extort money from victims, creating the illusion of official enforcement action.

The extorted money was initially collected in bank accounts opened using KYC details of relatives, known persons, or hired individuals. These funds were layered across multiple accounts using pre-activated SIM cards linked to bank accounts. Cash withdrawals were subsequently routed through hawala operators and converted into cryptocurrency/USDT via crypto wallets that do not require KYC, to evade regulatory scrutiny.

During the investigation, it was also revealed that one key accused, Bassam Doctor, S/o Makbul Doctor, is presently absconding and staying in Arab countries. He is suspected to be the ultimate recipient of the POC through crypto wallets. Bank account analysis also revealed that crores of rupees were spent on e-commerce and online transactions to maintain a lavish lifestyle.

Arrests and Attachments

In October 2025, the ED arrested four of the accused—Makbul Abdul Rehman Doctor, Kaashif Makbul Doctor, Mahesh Mafatlal Desai, and Om Rajendra Pandya. Additionally, three immovable properties worth Rs. 2.13 crore were provisionally attached on 17/11/2025. The investigation is ongoing. DeshGujarat