The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted searches at eight locations in Bengaluru related to a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged ISIS recruitment and terror funding module. The searches, carried out on 21 July under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, resulted in the seizure of incriminating electronic records and digital devices. Additionally, proceeds of crime worth Rs 7.50 lakh were frozen under Section 17(1‑A) of the Act.
The investigation by the ED is based on an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered following a First Information Report filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The case pertains to alleged ISIS recruitment activities involving the Iqra Welfare Trust, Guidance for Mankind (GFM) Trust, and specific individuals in Bengaluru. The NIA had invoked Sections 17, 18, and 18B of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in this context.
Five individuals, including a businessman, a business analyst, a dentist, and two IT professionals, were previously arrested in connection with the case. The accused are alleged to have conspired to radicalize and recruit Muslim youth from Bengaluru into ISIS. Programs like “Iqra Camp” and “Quran Circle” were reportedly used to identify and radicalize recruits, with funds raised to facilitate their travel to Syria via Turkey to join ISIS.
The ED’s investigation has uncovered that funds were raised by the accused and trustees associated with the Iqra Welfare Trust and Guidance for Mankind Trust. These funds were purportedly utilized to finance and enable the recruitment of vulnerable individuals into ISIS. The agency has stated that further investigation under the PMLA is ongoing.
