The case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao has taken a new turn, with investigators revealing that nearly two years before her arrest in a major gold smuggling operation, she and her associate were duped of over Rs. 2 crore by a suspected Ugandan gold agent.
Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport in March 2025 after she allegedly arrived from Dubai carrying 14 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore concealed on her body.
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ED Charge Sheet Reveals Massive Gold Smuggling Network
According to a chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Rao and her associate, Tarun Konduru Raju, were involved in smuggling a staggering 127.28 kg of gold valued at ₹102.55 crore into India between March 2024 and March 2025.
The smuggled gold was allegedly sold in the domestic market through a network of handlers and jewellers. Investigators have described the operation as a “structured and organised mechanism” involving illegal imports, cash-based transactions, and laundering of proceeds via hawala and formal banking channels.
Uganda Deal Turns Into ₹2 Crore Fraud
Before turning to smuggling routes via Dubai, Rao and Raju attempted to source gold directly from African nations, including Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
In 2023, they set up a Dubai-based firm, Vira Diamonds Trading LLC, intending to use Dubai as a trading and transit hub. Acting on advice that African mines supply much of Dubai’s gold market, the duo sought direct procurement deals.
They connected with a Uganda-based agent identified as Ben and negotiated an initial trial deal of 5 kg, with plans to scale up to a 50 kg contract.
As part of the arrangement, Rao and Raju made multiple payments, including an upfront amount and subsequent transfers totaling tens of thousands of dollars. However, no gold was delivered.
In January 2024, Raju travelled to Kampala to meet the agent and was shown what appeared to be gold. He was then asked to arrange an additional ₹1.7 crore to release the consignment.
Rao, coordinating from Dubai, allegedly arranged for cash delivery to the agent’s associate. It was only later that the duo realised they had been defrauded, suffering losses exceeding ₹2 crore.
Although investigators recovered WhatsApp chats indicating payments, officials said there was insufficient material evidence to conclusively establish the fraud.
Failed Kenya Attempt and Shift to Dubai Markets
Following the Uganda setback, Rao and Raju reportedly attempted a similar sourcing operation in Kenya. However, that effort was also abandoned after encountering similar fraudulent risks.
They even sought assistance from local authorities in Kenya, but with no resolution, the duo decided to stop direct sourcing from Africa.
Instead, they shifted their strategy to procuring gold within Dubai itself—particularly from African-origin dealers operating in the Deira gold souk, one of the largest bullion markets in the region.
These suppliers reportedly offered gold at discounted rates but insisted on cash transactions, avoiding formal banking channels—a common practice in illicit bullion trade networks.
Three-Pronged Smuggling Strategy
Investigators say the duo eventually developed a systematic model involving:
- Procurement of gold from Dubai-based suppliers
- Concealment and illegal transport into India
- Disposal in domestic markets through intermediaries
- Laundering of proceeds via hawala and banking systems
The ED has so far attached assets worth ₹34 crore linked to the operation.
Ongoing Probe
Authorities continue to probe the wider network, including financial trails, international links, and the role of intermediaries in India and abroad. The case highlights the growing sophistication of gold smuggling syndicates and their reliance on global supply chains, informal markets, and cash-driven transactions.
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