Before launching operations, Ranya Rao allegedly tried sourcing gold from Africa via a Ugandan agent, lost ₹2 crore in scam

Arrested Kannada actor Ranya Rao and her associate Tarun Konduru Raju were allegedly duped of over ₹2 crore by a Uganda-based gold agent who had promised direct supplies from Africa, according to the Enforcement Directorate charge sheet in a major gold smuggling case.

Officials said the duo initially attempted to source gold from African countries such as Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania before shifting to Dubai after the fraud. Raju even travelled to Kampala to recover the consignment but later realised it was a scam after additional payments were demanded.

The case came to light on March 3, 2025, when the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence intercepted Rao at Kempegowda International Airport with over 14 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore allegedly concealed on her person. A probe was subsequently launched by the Central Bureau of Investigation, while the ED initiated a parallel money-laundering investigation and attached assets worth ₹34.12 crore.

According to the charge sheet filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the syndicate allegedly smuggled more than 127 kg of gold worth ₹102 crore between March 2024 and March 2025, using Dubai as a key hub.

After the failed African sourcing attempts, the accused are said to have procured gold from dealers in Dubai’s Deira gold souk, making large cash payments. Investigators allege they then devised a method to smuggle the gold into India by filing false export declarations to third countries and bypassing customs checks.

The ED has also alleged misuse of VIP airport protocol, claiming Rao leveraged her connections as the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao to evade scrutiny during multiple trips.

The agency said the role of public servants in facilitating the alleged smuggling network remains under investigation.