The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized a private business jet valued at approximately Rs 14 crore in connection with a money laundering investigation targeting a Hyderabad-based firm and its promoters. The company, Falcon Group (Capital Protection Force Pvt. Ltd.), along with its CMD Amar Deep Kumar, is accused of defrauding numerous investors out of crores through an alleged Ponzi scheme, official sources revealed on Saturday.

The case originated from a local police FIR filed against Kumar, Falcon Group, and other associates. Sources indicate that Kumar, who has since fled the country, used the seized jet for his escape. Efforts to reach Kumar or his company for comment on the allegations were unsuccessful.

ED officials from Hyderabad traced the 8-seater ‘N935H Hawker 800A’ jet, owned by Kumar’s Prestige Jets Inc., to the Shamshabad international airport, where it landed on Friday. Purchased in 2024 for USD 1.6 million, the aircraft was searched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED questioned the crew and Kumar’s close associates present at the scene, according to sources.

The agency alleges that the jet was acquired using "proceeds of crime" from the Ponzi scheme, which reportedly siphoned off around Rs 850 crore from investors. After coordinating with the Customs department, the ED discovered that Kumar and another individual had departed India on the jet on January 22. The aircraft has now been impounded as part of the probe.

The ED has launched a comprehensive investigation into the financial dealings of Falcon Group and its promoters. The seizure of the luxury jet marks a significant step in unraveling the alleged fraud, with authorities determined to hold those responsible accountable for the massive investment scam.