ED Arrests Hacker ‘Sriki’ in Cybercrime Money Laundering Case

Enforcement Directorate has arrested cyber hacker Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki and two others in an alleged money laundering case revolving around cyber crime and proceeds generated from it. ED has got ten days custody of Srikrishna Ramesh 'Sriki', Robin Khandelwal and Sunish Hegde. Last month, the probe agency initiated search operations against Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki and others.These searches were carried out at 12 locations across Karnataka. ED case stems from multiple FIRs and chargesheets filed by Karnataka Police against Sriki and others alleging offences like "hacking of national and international websites." "These FIRs and chargesheets filed in 2017 shows that accused also stole bitcoin, digital currency. They were involved in extortion

and have violated NDPS provisions," said officials. Karnataka Police had arrested Srikrishna Ramesh in multiple cyber crime offences. In 2021, Congress leaders had alleged Sriki had hacked bitcoin worth Rs 10000 crore and demanded a probe into the possible involvement of then BJP government and setting ED claimed money laundering probe revolved Sriki and his accomplice were alleged involved in different kind of cyber crime offences(a)Hacking of websites/wallets to steal VDAs (Proceeds of crime).(b)Hacking of websites to steal data/money (Proceeds of Crime).(c)Sale of stolen VDAs through Crypto Trading Platforms (Routing).(d)The sale proceeds are transferred through bank accounts (Layering).(e)Use of the sale proceeds for personal benefits by Shri. Srikrishna and his associates. The case took a political turn after ED's searches carried out last month also covered premises of Mohammed Harris Nalapad and his brother Omar Farook Nalapad. Both are sons of Karnataka MLA from Shantinagar constituency and senior Congress leader NA Haris. Mohammed Harris Nalapad is president of Karnatka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee While ED had claimed they benefitted from "proceeds of crime", Mohammed Haris Nalapad slammed the ED and questioned why searches were carried out. After raids that lasted over 20 hours, he spoke to the media and denied all charges. "The case was registered in 2021. The case doesn’t have anything to do with me or my brother. The case was against Sriki. The ED served a notice. We went and answered those questions. It has been six years since then. They came back after six years to raid my premises yesterday. I don’t understand in which country anybody would retain evidence and wait for six years for somebody to come and search their premises. If there is an FIR, if there is an issue, it has to be dealt with then and there," Md Haris Nalapad told the media