Enforcement Directorate's New Mechanism to Combat Fake Summons
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has introduced a new system to address the issue of fake agency summons, which are sent by individuals with the intent of extortion.
Key Features of the New Mechanism
- Summons will now include a QR code and a unique passcode for authenticity verification.
- This system enables individuals to verify the legitimacy of the summons they receive.
Instructions to ED Officials
- Officials must generate and issue summons through this new system, except in exceptional cases.
- Each system-generated summons will be signed and stamped by the issuing official.
- The summons will also include the official's email ID and phone number for correspondence.
Verification Process
- Recipients can verify the authenticity by:
- Scanning the QR code.
- Entering the summons details for verification.
- Verification is possible 24 hours after the issuing date, excluding public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Context and Rationale
The ED issues summons under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The introduction of this mechanism is a response to several instances where fake summons, mimicking genuine ones, were sent by conmen.