Police seek ED probe into overseas money flows linked to Kochi immigration firm
Palarivattom police will submit a report to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking a central probe into financial transactions connected with complaints against a Kochi-based immigration services firm, officers said on Monday. The move follows registration of three First Information Reports (FIRs) against Parvathy Maya Shaji, founder and chief executive of Amster Overseas, and others.
A city police officer said the cases will be intimated to the ED because the accused had received money in bank accounts abroad for services that were promised or partly delivered in India. The officer added that while only three complainants have formally registered FIRs, the gravity of the suspected financial fraud could be broader.
"The ED will be intimated about the cases as the accused have received money in bank accounts abroad for services promised or delivered in India. Though only three people have come forward seeking registration of FIRs against the firm, we suspect the gravity of the financial fraud committed by the accused could be much larger," a city police officer said.
Ms. Shaji, a native of Kottayam, was arrested by Palarivattom police on September 24 after being detained upon arrival from abroad in Thiruvananthapuram. She has been remanded in judicial custody, police said. The force is yet to record an arrest in the third case, which stems from a complaint lodged by a youth from Ponnani in Malappuram.
Allegations, repayments and scope of probe
The earlier FIRs relate to allegations that the company cheated three complainants — one each from Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram districts — of lakhs of rupees after promising jobs in Poland and Armenia. Police sources said the firm has repaid amounts to around 100 persons following Ms. Shaji's arrest.
Investigating officers told reporters that the decision to involve the ED was directed by the nature of the receipts: funds routed to bank accounts overseas for services associated with domestic recruitment and immigration assistance. The ED will examine whether the transactions fall within statutes governing money-laundering and cross-border financial offences.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Firm | Amster Overseas |
| Accused | Parvathy Maya Shaji (founder & CEO) |
| FIRs registered | Three (Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram) |
| Additional complaints reported | Money repaid to ~100 persons after arrest |
| Next step | Police to intimate ED for investigation of overseas transactions |
Local consequences and law-enforcement coordination
The case highlights persistent concerns among Kerala residents about fraudulent immigration and overseas recruitment schemes. Local police said they will provide the ED with details of the cases and bank records available from the probe so that the central agency can pursue any cross-border links and determine whether money-laundering provisions apply.
- Victim locations: Complaints filed from Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram districts.
- Recovery action: Reported repayments to around 100 complainants following the arrest.
- Custody status: Accused remanded in judicial custody after arrest on September 24.
Police said the third FIR — lodged by a complainant from Ponnani — is still being processed with regard to the arrest record. Further action will be taken after the ED examines the financial trail and advises on prosecution under central statutes, the officer added.
Investigations of this nature require coordination between city police, state financial investigators, banking authorities and the ED to ensure that overseas transaction records are secured and legal channels pursued for asset tracing or charge framing. The outcome of the ED's probe will determine whether the matter is escalated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act or proceeds as criminal fraud cases in the state judiciary.
Authorities have not released further details of the transactions or named additional accused. The Palarivattom police said they would furnish the ED with the case files and forensic bank statements soon.
