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Patel was presented before the Special PMLA Court in Mirzapur, Ahmedabad, which granted four days of ED custody for further interrogation.
The arrest follows an FIR registered at Shola High Court Police Station, Ahmedabad, where Patel and associates were accused of illegally facilitating the migration of Indian nationals abroad since 2015. Investigations revealed a sophisticated network wherein Patel allegedly charged ₹60–75 lakh per individual, ₹1–1.25 crore per couple, and up to ₹1.75 crore for families, by fabricating travel documents, including fake visas and forged passports. The accused is also alleged to have used impersonation and false identities to smuggle individuals into foreign countries.
Multiple FIRs have been filed against Patel across Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal. The estimated proceeds of crime (POC) currently exceed ₹7 crore. The ED has confirmed that further investigation is underway to trace the financial trail and identify other involved parties.
Gujarat Emerges as a Key Focus in PMLA Enforcement
In 2025, Gujarat has become a major focal point for the ED’s enforcement actions under the PMLA:
Cyber-Fraud Crackdown:
In late June, ED teams conducted multiple raids in Ahmedabad and Surat, targeting a ₹100 crore cyber-fraud syndicate. The racket allegedly involved misuse of forged KYC documents, fake USDT cryptocurrency trading platforms, and digital arrest threats. Funds were reportedly routed through hawala channels and converted into crypto assets.
Nexa Evergreen Scam:
In another major operation, ED raided premises in Ahmedabad linked to the ₹2,700 crore Nexa Evergreen real estate scam. The case involves fraudulent land sales in the Dholera Smart City project. Seized items include over ₹2 crore in cash and several frozen bank accounts.
The ED continues to intensify its investigations into financial crimes across the state, signaling a robust crackdown on money laundering and economic offenses.