Bengaluru: Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested at Bengaluru airport for gold smuggling last year, was also cheated in a deal involving a proposed 50 kg gold consignment, according to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
According to invetigators, Rao allegedly paid about Rs 2 crore to a foreign agent, reportedly based in Uganda, as part of an advance payment for a large gold supply deal. However, the deal did not materialise as promised, exposing her to financial loss even as agencies tightened their probe into the wider smuggling racket.
Arrest and seizure
The case came to light after officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted Rao at Kempegowda International Airport in March 2025 after her arrival from Dubai. Authorities allegedly recovered about 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold worth over Rs 12 crore concealed on her person.
Subsequent searches at her residence reportedly led to the recovery of RS 2.67 crore in cash and gold jewellery worth about Rs 2.06 crore, taking the total seizure in the case to around Rs 17 crore.
Larger smuggling network under probe
The ED investigation, based on a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), suggests Rao and her associates were allegedly involved in smuggling more than 127 kg of gold worth over Rs 100 crore into India between March 2024 and March 2025.
Officials said the gold was allegedly procured from suppliers in Dubai, Uganda and other countries and brought into India through illegal channels. The proceeds were then allegedly routed through hawala networks and bank accounts to disguise the source of funds.
Ongoing investigation
The ED has filed charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and attached assets worth over Rs 34 crore linked to Rao as part of the investigation.
Authorities say the probe is continuing to identify other members of the international syndicate and trace financial transactions connected to the case.
