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PNB scam: Purvi Modi owned shell companies abroad to launder money

Published

6 years ago

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By Anand Singh
New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Purvi Deepak Modi — sister of fugitive diamentaire Nirav Modi — was the owner and director of several shell companies formed solely for the purpose of laundering the money and was the direct beneficiary of the proceeds of crime, says an official.

A red corner notice (RCN) was issued against her on Monday by the Interpol in connection with the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, in which Nirav Modi is a prime accused.

“Purvi Modi played a major role in laundering the proceeds of the crime generated from the PNB scam. She is beneficiary of at least $133 million scam money,” an Enforcement Directorate (ED) official requesting anonymity told IANS.

He said: “She is owner/ director of shell/ investment companies formed solely to launder the proceeds of the crime through companies — Fine Classic FZE (UAE), Lili Mountain Investment, Pristyn Holdings Ltd, Novelar International Holdings Ltd and Pavilion Point Cooperation in British Virgin Islands, Islington International Holdings Pvt Ltd and Belvedere Group Holdings Ltd in Singapore.”

The official said that these companies were formed and managed in a “very complex manner to camouflage the criminal origin of funds in these companies”.

“Some trusts were also incorporated for money laundering,” he said, adding that she was found to have links with Montecristo Trust, Ithaca Trust and New Zealand Trust.

The ED official’s remarks came soon after the Interpol issued the red corner notice against Purvi Modi on the charge of money laundering, on the Directorate’s request.

In August, a special court in Mumbai had issued public summons to her and brother Neeshal, who are Belgian citizens, to appear before it on September 25. The court also said that if they fail to appear, their properties would be confiscated under the newly-enacted fugitive offenders act.

Last week, the Interpol also issued an RCN against Nirav Modi’s close aide Mihir Bhansali in connection with the case.

The ED further revealed that bank accounts were opened in her name and in the name of her companies in overseas locations like Barbados, Mauritius, Switzerland, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, among others.

“The funds stolen from PNB to the tune of over Rs 500 crore were invested in Firestar India via Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) after layering through above mentioned companies,” he said.

Beside laundering money, Purvi Modi also purchased properties in foreign countries in the name of shell companies controlled by her, the official said.

“Earlier, Purvi Modi was the beneficiary of Dubai and Hong Kong-based dummy companies in which letters of undertaking (LOUs) were credited. Later, her name was removed from these companies and dummy directors were introduced,” the official said.

“Therefore, she actively participated in the crime of money laundering and layering of the money thus acquired and was also the beneficiary of the proceeds of crime,” he said.

The RCN is issued to seek the location and arrest of wanted person(s) for extradition or similar legal action.

The ED wants to question Purvi Modi to unearth further details of the fraud committed by Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi of the Gitanjali Group to cheat the Mumbai-based PNB’s Brady House branch.

The Interpol, in its notice, requested its 192 member countries to arrest or detain Purvi Modi so that her extradition process could begin.

The Interpol has issued a similar notice against Nirav Modi, who along with his family as well as uncle Choksi left the country in January, a month before the fraud came to light.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at [email protected])

–IANS
aks/nir

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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3 months ago

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September 3, 2024

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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