For terror mongers hawala is passe, MoneyGram is in
17 Jan 2013 7:31 AM IST
In September last year, FBI agents had testified during Kasab’s trial in an Indian court that an initial payment of $250 for acquiring the VoIP connections was wired from a MoneyGram agent in Lahore.
It had unearthed new techniques used by terrorists for money laundering. Till now, security agencies are grappling with this technological advancement which often outruns their imagination.
Sources in National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate, ED have said that they are coming across a lot of cases wherein money laundering is being done through MoneyGram and net banking.
‘In our investigations into several cases we have found out that money is being moved through such mechanism. In fact, its easy as sending money through MoneyGram doesn’t involve much scrutiny as the sender and the recipient just have to show any ID to execute the transaction,’ a senior official in the NIA said.
The officials added that they are now taking a number of steps to keep a tab on such transactions. ‘The unscrupulous elements have now taken to such methods over traditional ways of laundering via hawala transactions,’ the officials said.
Besides, MoneyGram, net banking is another mode they are using for transactions. ‘They are advancing technologically. They have bank accounts active across the world and they are providing wherewithal with just a click of a button. It is also very difficult to track them. We have to update ourselves periodically to match to their innovations,’ the NIA officials added.
The probe into the Delhi High Court blast also led to revelations that the accused had received money through internet banking.
It had unearthed new techniques used by terrorists for money laundering. Till now, security agencies are grappling with this technological advancement which often outruns their imagination.
Sources in National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate, ED have said that they are coming across a lot of cases wherein money laundering is being done through MoneyGram and net banking.
‘In our investigations into several cases we have found out that money is being moved through such mechanism. In fact, its easy as sending money through MoneyGram doesn’t involve much scrutiny as the sender and the recipient just have to show any ID to execute the transaction,’ a senior official in the NIA said.
The officials added that they are now taking a number of steps to keep a tab on such transactions. ‘The unscrupulous elements have now taken to such methods over traditional ways of laundering via hawala transactions,’ the officials said.
Besides, MoneyGram, net banking is another mode they are using for transactions. ‘They are advancing technologically. They have bank accounts active across the world and they are providing wherewithal with just a click of a button. It is also very difficult to track them. We have to update ourselves periodically to match to their innovations,’ the NIA officials added.
The probe into the Delhi High Court blast also led to revelations that the accused had received money through internet banking.
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