IMA scam: 300 kg fake gold bars found hidden under mastermind’s swimming pool
Bengaluru, Aug 08: The Special Investigation Team probing the multi-crore IMA group ponzi scam on Wednesday seized 303 kg of fake gold bars hidden under the swimming pool in the sixth floor of a building in Bengaluru belonging to group owner Mohammed Mansoor Khan.
The ponzi scheme operator Mohammed Mansoor Khan used to show the huge quantity of gold to the people and entice them to invest in his company, the SIT said in a release.
Before leaving the country, Mansoor Khan hid the fake gold bars under the swimming pool of his building.
IMA scam main accused Mansoor Khan arrested upon return from Dubai
The SIT raided the building and seized the 5,880 gold bars weighing 303 kg, the release added.
Mansoor Khan, the owner of IMA jewels, was arrested last month in New Delhi by the Enforcement Directorate.
Mansoor Khan, who had escaped to Dubai, flew back to India and was arrested after he landed in Delhi.
The Enforcement Directorate had attached assets worth Rs. 209 crore, including 20 immovable properties and bank deposits, in connection with the case.
The ED had filed the money laundering case against the IMA group of companies and Mohammed Mansoor Khan after reports emerged that he went underground fearing investments worth crores of about 40,000 investors have tanked.
The SIT has arrested over 25 people.
Those arrests include 12 directors of the IMA, a corporator, a corporator's husband, former deputy commissioner of Bengaluru urban district and assistant commissioner of Bengaluru North sub-division.
It recently questioned Congress MLA BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan in connection with the case.
The SIT wanted to question disqualified Congress MLA R Roshan Baig but he did not appear before it seeking time.