Intelligence Agencies Alert On Big Funding Scam Like Barkati Racket In Kashmir, Rs 17.91 Crore Raised In The Name Of Iranians
A major crowd-funding scam under the guise of humanitarian aid to Iran in South Kashmir has been exposed. Intelligence agencies of Jammu and Kashmir have issued an alert to collect Rs 17.91 crore more gold, which is suspected to be used in terrorist funding. The investigation has revealed that the Iranian Embassy's appeal was hijacked by middlemen and innocent people were cheated. This network is active in many districts of the valley.
Jammu and Kashmir Intelligence agencies and SIA issued alert. File photo.
Digital Desk, Srinagar. The high-profile crowd-funding currently going on in South Kashmir has come under scrutiny. Jammu and Kashmir Intelligence Agencies and State Investigation Agency (SIA) have issued an alert on a big donation scam running under the guise of humanitarian aid for Iran.
Intelligence investigation by Jammu and Kashmir Police has revealed that a huge amount of gold and other valuables worth about Rs 17.91 crore have been collected through the Barkati model in the valley. No source has been found yet as to where this amount and valuables are. Agencies suspect that a large part of this amount may be used in terrorist funding.
People are being cheated of money
The agencies' investigation found that a genuine appeal for help issued by the Iranian Embassy on March 14 had been hijacked by a sophisticated network of middlemen and fraudsters. These people are allegedly extorting crores of rupees of cash and valuables from innocent citizens, especially those from the Shia community, for their own benefit and possibly for anti-national activities. According to top sources of Jammu and Kashmir Police, this action is being taken against those middlemen who are cheating innocent people. There is no restriction on making payment directly into the embassy's bank account.
Network is active in all districts
The level of money deposited illegally is very high. Police believe that around Rs 17.91 crore along with a huge amount of gold and other valuables have been illegally deposited in the valley. The geographical details of these collections indicate that this work is ongoing on a large scale. Rs 9.5 crore is reported from Budgam, Rs 4 crore from Baramulla, Rs 2 crore from Srinagar while less but bigger amount is reported from Kulgam, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Pulwama.
Intelligence reports suggest that these middlemen are using emotional and religious appeals to solicit donations. Under the influence of these people, financially weak families have even donated their wedding savings, animals, copper utensils and gold ornaments.
Wires connecting IRGC-separatist elements
During the investigation, intelligence agencies have identified a “convict” system, which includes people who have deep connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and separatist elements. Among the special people named in the investigation is Hakim Sajjad of Bagwanpora, Srinagar, who has been described as the main distributor of Iranian funds to local clerics. Not only this, Syed Ruhollah Rizvi, who is originally from Ganderbal but currently lives in Iran.
Rizvi has been shown as an important link between outside handlers and local collectors. The agencies are particularly troubled by the fact that almost half of the funds collected are allegedly being sent back to spread separatism inside Kashmir, mirroring tactics seen in the ongoing SIA investigation into the Maulvi Sarjan Barkati crowd-funding racket.
Many agencies including NIA-ED are working
This investigation has now come under the target of many national agencies including SIA as well as National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). Authorities have issued a stern warning to those collecting donations from door-to-door and stalls, saying faceless middlemen will face the same fate as known separatists in South Kashmir.
As the crackdown is intensifying, the police are appealing to people to exercise extreme caution and verify the credentials of any person or organization asking for donations, as the line between genuine charity and calculated financial scams is becoming blurred in the shadow of regional geopolitics.