The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has revealed that arrested Kannada actress Ranya Rao and her associate Tarun Konduru Raju were allegedly duped of over ₹2 crore by a Uganda-based agent during an early attempt to source gold directly from Africa, before shifting their operations to Dubai for smuggling into India.
According to the ED’s charge sheet filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the duo initially attempted to procure gold from African countries including Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, using Dubai as a trading hub. They had reportedly engaged an agent in Uganda for a trial consignment of 5 kg, with plans to expand to larger volumes. Payments amounting to tens of thousands of dollars were made towards advance, taxes, and fees. However, when no gold was delivered, Raju travelled to Kampala in January 2024, where he was allegedly asked to pay an additional ₹1.70 crore to release the consignment, only to later discover that the deal was fraudulent.
Investigators said the accused also attempted a similar operation in Kenya, which failed, prompting them to abandon direct sourcing from Africa. The ED noted that while digital evidence such as WhatsApp chats indicated financial transactions with African contacts, there is limited material proof to fully substantiate the alleged scam.
Following these setbacks, the duo reportedly changed strategy and began purchasing gold from African-origin dealers based in Dubai’s Deira gold souk. These transactions were conducted in cash, a common practice in illicit bullion trade. The agency alleged that Rao managed finances and arranged large cash payments in UAE currency to procure gold, which was then smuggled into India using a sophisticated method.
As per the charge sheet, Raju allegedly filed false export declarations with Dubai Customs, claiming that the gold was being shipped to third countries such as Switzerland or Thailand. In reality, the gold was handed over to Rao at Dubai airport and transported into India. Airline tickets to foreign destinations were booked to support these false declarations and avoid suspicion.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had intercepted Rao at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on March 3, 2025, allegedly carrying 14.213 kg of gold valued at ₹12.56 crore concealed on her person. The ED claims that between March 2024 and March 2025, Rao made at least 15 trips from Dubai to India, smuggling a total of 127.87 kg of gold worth over ₹102 crore.
The investigation further alleges misuse of VIP protocol at the Bengaluru airport, where Rao reportedly leveraged connections linked to a senior police official to bypass customs checks. The ED has stated that the role of public servants in facilitating the operation is under further investigation.
The case highlights a complex international smuggling network involving fraudulent overseas deals, cash-based transactions, and coordinated efforts to evade customs enforcement.
