Taniya was previously detained with unaccounted cash of ₹69 lakh during a nakabandi operation in Dongri amid the November assembly elections |
In a significant development in the multi-crore Torres Jewellery Ponzi scam, the Navi Mumbai police have intensified their investigation, unearthing links to prior criminal activities by the company’s general manager, Taniya Xasatova. Also known as Tazagul Karaxanovna Xasatova, she was previously detained with unaccounted cash of ₹69 lakh during a nakabandi operation in Dongri amid the November assembly elections. At the time, Xasatova introduced herself as a senior official of Torres Company, but failed to provide proper documentation for the cash.
Past Incidents and Fraudulent Activities
An Economic Offences Wing (EOW) official revealed that the Income Tax Department had recorded the incident in a diary entry and handed over the details to the EOW for further investigation. Additionally, Xasatova faces a forgery and cheating case registered at Sahar Police Station, stemming from a 2008 fraud involving ₹77 lakh.
Authorities have disclosed that Xasatova has been residing in India since 2006. Her prior arrest and her role in the Torres Jewellery scam have prompted investigators to revisit old case files to identify possible connections between past and present fraudulent activities.
International Suspects and Look-Out Circulars Issued
The EOW, which is spearheading the probe, has uncovered the involvement of several foreign nationals who played key roles in the scam. Among them are Olena Stoian, a 33-year-old Ukrainian national and former director of Torres Company, and other Ukrainian nationals, including Victoria, Artem, and Tausif.
The EOW has issued six additional Look-Out Circulars (LOCs), raising the total number of suspects to 13, with 10 individuals still wanted. Police have sought assistance from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to trace the travel histories of these suspects, who allegedly entered India on six-month tourist visas.
The complete list of wanted suspects includes:
Taufik Riyaz alias John Carter
Victoriia Kovalenko
Olena Stoian
Imran Javed
Mustaf Karakoc
Olenksandra Borovyk
Olenksandra Zapichenko
Oleksandra Brunkivska
Oleksandra Tredokhib
Artem Oliferchuk
Iurchenko Igor
EOW officials are also coordinating with immigration authorities and international law enforcement to prevent suspects from fleeing the country and to facilitate their apprehension.
Court Proceedings and Ongoing Investigations
Currently, three key accused—Taniya Xasatova, Valentina Ganesh Kumar, and Sarvesh Surve—are in police custody. Their remand is set to expire tomorrow, and they will be presented before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s MPID court for a possible extension. Investigators are expected to seek further custody to delve deeper into the scam, which has defrauded numerous investors with promises of high returns.
An EOW official stated, “The nationality of the wanted accused is still being verified. We are working with various agencies to uncover the full scope of their involvement.”
The Torres Jewellery Scam
The Torres Jewellery scam is a complex Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of crores by offering lucrative returns. As the investigation progresses, authorities are leaving no stone unturned to trace the key players and recover the stolen funds.
