Enforcement Directorate to probe₹2,000-crore ponzi scheme case: Maharasthra minister

Ranjit Patil, minister of state for home, informed the state assembly that a lookout notice has been issued for ‘Gainbitcoin’ founder Amit Bhardwaj

The probe of the alleged scam worth Rs2,000 crore, in which several investors were cheated owing to a ponzi scheme using the website gainbitcoin.com, will now be handed over to the enforcement directorate (ED), the state government has announced.

Minister of state for home Ranjit Patil (HT file photo)

While responding to a calling-attention motion, Ranjit Patil, minister of state for home (cities), on Wednesday informed the legislative assembly that a lookout notice has been issued for ‘Gainbitcoin’ founder Amit Bhardwaj as he has fled the country.

Amolkumar Thombale has been arrested in the case, while Balaji Panchal and Raju Motewar are at large.

While admitting that the company has duped many investors in Mumbai, Pune, Nanded, Kolhapur and other cities in the state, Patil said that the government would request the ED to probe the case. “The Reserve Bank of India does not deal in crypto currency but has also not declared it illegal. Cases related to the currency and their monitoring is handled by the central government,” he said.

The case, lodged at Nanded police station on January 24, is currently being investigated by the cyber crime branch.