Actor Tamannaah Bhatia was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for eight hours in Guwahati, Assam, on Thursday in connection with a money laundering probe related to the ‘HPZ Token’ mobile app. The app is under investigation for allegedly duping several investors under the pretext of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining, official sources confirmed.
The ED recorded Tamannaah Bhatia’s statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at its zonal office in Guwahati. Sources close to the investigation indicated that Bhatia had received payments for a ‘celebrity appearance’ at an event organized by the app company. While no incriminating evidence was found against the actor, the authorities are scrutinizing her involvement to clarify the financial transactions linked to the HPZ Token case.
The actor had previously deferred the ED’s summons due to work commitments but opted to cooperate and appear on Thursday. As part of the investigation, the focus has also expanded to Bhatia’s alleged role in promoting “Fair Play,” a betting exchange platform that offers various forms of gambling, including sports betting. Fair Play is a subsidiary of the Mahadev online gaming app, which is currently under investigation for facilitating illegal betting in live sports and games of chance.
Although no direct accusations have been made against Tamannaah Bhatia, the ED is keen on understanding her association with the companies and how these promotions could have been linked to financial misconduct or illegal activities. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to probe the financial networks involved in the cryptocurrency scam and online betting platform.
This case highlights the growing concerns over the use of cryptocurrency and betting platforms in potential money laundering schemes and the involvement of high-profile figures in such cases. As the investigation continues, the ED remains focused on uncovering the broader network behind the alleged scam.
Leave a comment