BoB forex scam: CBI search reveals murky details; cash, PAN cards found

CBI sleuths carried out searches at 10 locations in the NCR region in connection with the case of alleged illegal remittances to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore to Hong Kong and Dubai from a branch of Bank of Baroda.

A CBI spokesperson said that searches were carried out at the offices and residential premises of certain suspects in the case.

"It was found during the investigation that around 8,500 foreign remittance transactions were made from 59 bank accounts (approx) of various firms/companies against the import of goods and software from Hong Kong and Dubai.

"The investigation revealed a further involvement of around 11 private persons/entities (companies)," she said.

The official said that about Rs 40 lakh in cash, rubber stamps of around 44 different companies, 15 PAN cards and various documents were recovered during the searches along with pen drives and hard drives.

"In addition, foreign currencies of China, the US, Europe, UAE, Nigeria, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka were also found. The documents are being scrutinised," she said.

CBI had registered a case against 59 current account holders and unknown bank officials and private persons on a complaint from Bank of Baroda.

"It was alleged that 59 current account holders and unknown bank officials conspired to send overseas remittances, mostly to Hong Kong, of foreign exchange worth approximately Rs 6,000 crore in an illegal and irregular manner in violation of established banking norms under the garb of payments towards suspected non-existent imports," she said.