Guwahati: The ED on Thursday questioned actress Tamannaah Bhatia in connection with its probe into the money laundering case linked to the 'HPZ Token' mobile app.

Fraud through 'HPZ Token' mobile phone application

Sources said that in this case, several investors were allegedly duped by promising huge returns through Bitcoin and some other cryptocurrencies. The accused used 'HPZ Token' mobile phone app to dupe the investors.

Tamannaah Bhatia's statement recorded under PMLA

ED said that Tamanna's statement was recorded in the regional office of ED under PMLA, a law made to prevent money laundering. Sources said that Tamanna had received some money as a celebrity in the program of the app company. There was no criminal allegation against her. She was called earlier also, but could not appear due to work.

A total of 299 companies were made accused

A total of 299 companies have been made accused in the charge sheet filed by the ED in March in this case, including 76 Chinese-controlled companies with 10 directors of Chinese origin while two entities are controlled by other foreign nationals.

Investors were duped by promising returns

This money laundering case was registered on the basis of an FIR of the Cyber ​​Crime Unit of Kohima Police. In the police FIR, a case has been registered against various accused under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. The accused are accused of duping investors by promising huge returns through bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Immovable property and deposits confiscated

The ED said that in this case, bank accounts and merchant IDs were opened by various fake companies with 'dummy' directors. Raids were conducted across the country in this case, in which immovable properties and deposits worth Rs 455 crore were seized.

Mahadev Betting App

It is worth noting that the Mahadev betting app has attracted a lot of attention earlier as well, when other Bollywood celebrities including actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor were called for questioning. The ED is constantly working to crack down on betting in Bollywood through mobile apps. Earlier, other celebrities like Kapil Sharma, Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan were questioned by the ED due to their promotional activities for the Mahadev app.