ED busts Rs 700 crore forex scam in Maharashtra

According to sources in the central financial probe agency, the name of the Capstone Forex came under radar in connection with its investigation into Edelweiss Financial Services Ltd whose Chairman Rashesh Shah was recently questioned by it.

An ED source claimed that Capstone Forex bought forex on "fudged, forged and fake air tickets and passports" and had received more than Rs 700 crore in its accounts from various shell companies.

The source said that during the probe, it was found that many of the shell companies transferred funds to various big corporates and reputed companies.

"Corporates that have come under the ED scanner include CG Power Solutions, Indianapolls Hospitality, which belongs to Jay Mehta Group, husband of Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla, Consultshah Financial Services, Eros International Media, Jain Energy (Jain Irrigation Group), Navarkar Builders, Next Gen Films, and Swatantryaveer VD Savarkar Multistate Cooperative Credit Society."

The source also revealed that during questioning, most of the companies "failed to justify" the reason behind the transfer of funds to Capstone Forex.

He said that Capstone came under the ED's lens following sharp rise in its revenue from Rs 6 crore (approximately) in financial year 2015 to Rs 315 crore (approximately) in financial year 2018.

"While examining bank account statements of the said FFMC (Full Fledged Money Changer), it was noted that Capstone has received hundreds of crores of rupees from various entities, firms and companies during the period of 2017-2019," the source claimed.

According to ED sources, Capstone submitted copies of passports and air tickets to show the proof of the customers to whom it sold the foreign exchange. "However, on checking a few of those air tickets, it was found that the said tickets were forged and fake...," he added.