Latest news with #SagarMehta
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
‘Very happy to use it': Canadians explore Elk Island with free pass
Families gathered at Elk Island National Park over the Canada Day weekend. (CTV News Edmonton) Elk Island National Park was bustling Canada Day weekend as families enjoyed the summer weather and the great outdoors. Sagar Mehta said he was encouraged to bring his family out with the new Canada Strong Pass. 'Because we have the Canada Strong Pass, it actually helps us bring the family here, explore the nature, and it's amazing,' said Mehta at Elk Island National Park Sunday. 'We are planning to visit as many parks as possible this summer,' said Mehta's brother. 'It's a really great program. I'm very happy to use it.' Until Sept. 2, 2025, Canadians can visit national parks, historical sites and marine conservation areas for free. The initiative, spearheaded by Ottawa in light of the tariff war between the U.S., also gives campers a 25 per cent discount on camping fees and allows children under the age of 17 to ride for free on VIA Rail. Elk Island The entrance to Elk Island National Park is seen on June 29, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton) Dozens of vehicles were lined up to get into Elk Island National Park on Sunday, filled with tents, barbecues and games. 'I expected it to kind of have a busy lineup,' said one visitor. 'But it's actually not too bad, I wouldn't say it's crowded.' Elk Island Families gathered at Elk Island National Park over the Canada Day weekend. (CTV News Edmonton) Many visitors to the park had their hearts set on visiting Banff and Jasper this summer as well. 'It's a great way for Canada, as a whole, to promote parks and enjoy wildlife and bonding with families,' said another visitor. While many are looking to explore the Rockies this summer, there has been some concern about overcrowding, which can cause harm to ecosystems. Last year, more than 540,000 visitors went to Waterton Lakes National Park in southern Alberta – marking it the second busiest year on record, according to Parks Canada. The busiest year was when admission was free in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday in 2017. CTV News Edmonton reached out to Parks Canada for a comment but have yet to hear back. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Miriam Valdes-Carletti and CTV News Lethbridge's Karsen Marczuk.
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Torres fraud: Mapping the money trail
MUMBAI: The money laundering investigation into the Torres Jewellery fraud has revealed how the key accused used codes, software applications and instant messaging to communicate with each other, move money around, and transfer large sums to the masterminds. Torres Jewellery, whose holding company was Platinum Hern Pvt Ltd, had lured small investors to buy into its fraudulent investment schemes by selling low-value synthetic moissanite stones as high-value gemstones. It also promised exaggerated returns on its investment schemes, using misleading advertisements, fake bonuses and a Ponzi scheme to entice potential victims. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which on May 22 charge sheeted 13 individuals and entities in the case, has estimated the fraud at ₹177.11 crore, relying on evidence or records that relate to Platinum Hern's finances and accounts, including transactions of its main showroom in Dadar, one of its five showrooms in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The key accused in the case are: Alpesh Khara, Sagar Mehta, Oleksandr Zapichenko alias Alex, Olena Stoian, Victoria Kovalenko, Tazagul Khasatova alias Tanya, Lallan Singh, Tausif Reyaz, Abhishek Gupta and Savesh Surve. They have been booked under sections relating to cheating and criminal breach of trust of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS); the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act, and the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act. Platinum Hern allegedly collected unauthorised cash deposits without the approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), showing only ₹2.10 crore in its bank accounts, the ED said in its chargesheet. The ED's investigation also revealed that Platinum Hern had developed an internal software domain, called ' All the senior cashiers in all the Torres showrooms, along with employees and key managerial staff, were given access with a user ID and password. The software was allegedly used to store details of banking transactions, incoming cash and encashment transactions. It was also designed to facilitate encashment through a unique code-based authentication system, according to ED sources. The codes were allegedly sent to individuals desiring cash encashment through Telegram, an instant messaging app, according to the ED. An investigation into the unique codes revealed the alleged existence of a Telegram group named 'Cash Counter 1', through which the management used to send specific codes to authorise cash disbursements. However, this Telegram group has been deleted by the administrator, rendering the data irretrievable, according to the ED. The investigation also revealed that daily reports sent by senior cashiers to management to track daily sales, income and expenses, including the delivery of cash to specific persons, were found in another alleged Telegram group called 'Record to Report', where senior cashiers of Dadar showroom were members. The information shared within this group, did not cover all working days of a week but was confined to a few specific dates. Further, WhatsApp chats among a few accused persons and the Dadar showroom cashiers allegedly consistently used the term 'Code 2' as an internal trigger for cash pick-ups, the ED's probe found. The alleged chats were for the purpose of collection of cash from the showroom at the behest of the management of Platinum Hern. According to the ED, two key accused, both Ukrainians – Oleksandr Zapichenko alias Alex and Olena Stoian – were the key architects of the financial structuring and laundering operations. Both have fled the country. Another accused, Alpesh Khara, allegedly helped Alex convert the cash collected from customers into a cryptocurrency called 'USDT', which was then credited to digital wallets associated with individuals known to Alex. Another accused, Lallan Singh, through his proprietary concerns, allegedly transferred over ₹13 crore to bank accounts of Platinum Hern as fake investments, after accepting cash from Alex, which was generated through a co-accused against crypto-currency. 'His role was central in laundering illicit funds and creating a false front of legitimate business activity for the company,' an ED source said. He added that the agency is making continued efforts to trace further proceeds of the crime.
