NEW DELHI: The CBI has seized cryptocurrencies worth more than Rs 23.94 crore during its two-day countrywide search operation in the GainBitcoin scam case that concluded on Wednesday, officials said.The central probe agency has also seized multiple hardware crypto wallets, 121 documents, 34 laptops and hard disks, 12 mobile phones and multiple email and instant messaging application dumps, they said.”Following the nationwide searches conducted on February 25 and 26 in connection with the GainBitcoin cases, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), using in-house capabilities, has seized significant incriminating evidence and virtual digital assets, further unravelling the extent of the cryptocurrency fraud,” a spokesperson said in a statement.The agency has sent the electronic devices for forensic analysis to uncover further details regarding the misappropriation of funds and potential international transactions linked to the scam, the officials said.The CBI launched the search operation at 60 locations in Delhi, Pune, Nanded, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Mohali, Jhansi, and Hubli on Tuesday as part of its probe into the scam.The operation concluded on Wednesday.The ponzi scam was perpetrated through a web of platforms, including flagship site www.gainbitcoin.com, was allegedly masterminded by Amit Bhardwaj (now deceased) and his brother Ajay Bhardwaj, the officials said.Launched in 2015, the illicit operation was camouflaged under the facade of Variable Tech Pvt. Ltd, they said.The investors were lured by the offer of a 10 per cent monthly return in Bitcoin over 18 months.
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