As a seasoned researcher with a keen interest in the intersection of technology and financial crimes, I find the recent collaboration between Binance and India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) to be a significant stride towards curbing cybercrime.


Recently, Binance, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange, revealed its role in assisting Indian authorities in dismantling a supposedly legal online gaming app accused of swindling users out of over 400 crores Indian Rupees (approximately $47.6 million).

As reported in a blog post, the Binance Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) offered essential assistance that allowed the Indian Enforcement Directorate (ED) to track down the funds diverted by the administrators of the gaming app Fiewin and reveal their associates.

Binance Helps ED in Fraud Case

Fiewin operators promoted the app as a platform where people could make money by playing small games. Users were able to sign up, interact with the app’s features, and add funds to their accounts using various payment options. Unfortunately, once users amassed significant balances, they were unable to withdraw their earnings, and instead, the money was secretly transferred to numerous crypto wallets.

The Economic Department initiated an inquiry into the Fiewin app following numerous complaints from victims who had suffered financial losses due to this project. During their investigation, it was discovered that Fiewin was associated with a transnational criminal organization that employed various tactics to hide the transfer of illicit funds. These tactics included using the bank accounts of money mules and multiple cryptocurrency wallets.

The Indian investigative body found that the project had embezzled millions of Indian rupees from its users by intricately weaving a net of financial transactions to evade detection and tracking of the funds. Working with Binance, they followed the trail of laundered money through various cryptocurrency wallets and exposed the vast web of this scam’s operations.

As a researcher delving into the intricacies of combating complex financial crimes, I cannot stress enough the significance of public-private collaborations. A striking illustration of this synergy is evident in the workings of Binance’s dedicated investigation team. In our specific case, they extended their analytical expertise to aid our investigation, thereby making a valuable contribution.

Four Individuals Arrested

Alongside exposing the fraudulent network, the ED’s investigation resulted in the apprehension of four key suspects who aided the scam and collaborated with the Fiewin app operators. It was found out that these con artists utilized secure messaging apps to exchange information as they operated from various locations around the globe.

Binance stated that the investigation remains active, and the Enforcement Directorate anticipates tracing the criminal organization responsible for the fraudulent scheme and disclosing all aspects of Fiewin’s operations.

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2024-09-30 00:24