ED attaches assets worth ₹3 crore of Jharkhand’s top three cybercriminals

The enforcement directorate (ED) has attached assets worth over ~3 crore amassed by Jharkhand’s top three cybercriminals following raids in September at Jamtara, said senior officials on Monday.

Navin Kumar Singh, inspector general, in-charge, cybercrime and smart policing, said, “ED has attached the assets of Pradeep Kumar Mondal (in Mirga), Yugal Mondal (in Jamtara) and Santosh Yadav (in Deogarh). Their names figure in the top 10 cybercriminals of the country.” Pradeep, Yugal and Santosh had amassed assets between ~30 lakh to over ~1 crore. Jharkhand police had approached the ED in April for the case. Two meetings were held between state director general of police (DGP) DK Pandey and ED director Karnal Singh in Ranchi. “Technical seizure of assets worth ~1 crore belonging to Pradeep, ~99 lakh to Yugal and over ~50 lakh to Santosh has been done.”

A senior ED official in Ranchi confirmed the spot seizure and attachment of assets of Pradeep and Santosh, along with the seizure of several bank accounts. “The process to seize Yugal’s assets, along with transfer papers of the property, is underway,” he said. While Santosh is currently lodged in jail, Pradeep is out on bail. Yugal has been absconding since at least September, police said.

Karmatand, Taratand, Naryanpur in Jamtara; Madhupur in Deogarh, and Vengabad in Giridih have emerged as the hub of cybercrimes in the state with over 100 gangs operating there.