Since the launch of cryptocurrencies, thousands of investors have been duped to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in various cities, including Pune, Mumbai, Nanded, and Kolhapur
Making it clear that neither have cryptocurrencies like bitcoin been recognised by the Reserve Bank of India, nor has the RBI declared it as illegal, Minister of state for Home Dr Ranjit Patil on Wednesday said, adding that the state government was considering handing over bitcoin-related cases to Enforcement Directorate (ED).
MLAs, including Rahul Kul, Ajit Pawar, Sangram Thopte, Prakash Surve, Jitendra Avhad, Dipika Chavan, and others, have raised the issue of bitcoin-related cheating of citizens. The members pointed out that since the launch of cryptocurrencies, thousands of investors have been duped to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in various cities, including Pune, Mumbai, Nanded, and Kolhapur. MLAs Ashish Shelar and Shambhuraje Desai also participated in the discussion.
Minister Patil informed the state assembly that a case has been registered against Amit Bharadwaj (New Delhi), Amolkumar Jaywant Thombale from Nanded, Balaji Panchal from Nanded and Raju Motewar from Nanded on January 24, 2018. Patil informed that Thombale has been arrested and the police are looking for three others. The minister informed that since the promoter of the website gainbitcoin.com and Ponzi scheme Amit Bharadwaj is abroad, process is being started to issue a look out notice against him.
The minister also informed that action has been taken as per Maharashtra Protection of Interests of Depositors Act (MPID Act). The minister told the state assembly that investors were duped by using digital currency in Nanded and Pune. He informed that bank accounts of these people in Pune have been sealed and cash worth Rs 5.96 lakh, along with Rs 2.42 crore e-wallet has been attached. He informed that the government would consider handing over these cases to ED so that investors can get back their money.
He said that the government has set up 35 cyber police stations through out the state. Patil said that even though RBI has not declared such currency as illegal, the government has issued notices to alert people from such currencies and schemes from time to time.
E-MONEY
Since the launch of cryptocurrencies, thousands of investors have been duped to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in various cities, including Pune, Mumbai, Nanded, and Kolhapur
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