Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia faced interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Guwahati on Thursday night as part of a probe into her alleged connections with the controversial digital platform 'HPZ Token.' This platform is under scrutiny for defrauding investors by promising enticing returns through cryptocurrency mining, raising significant concerns about financial misconduct and money laundering.

The 'HPZ Token' scandal revolves around claims that the platform enticed investors with the allure of high profits from Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies but failed to fulfill these promises. As a result, it has drawn the attention of regulatory authorities and financial crime investigators. The case originated from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Cyber Crime Police Station in Kohima, Nagaland, which has since been escalated to the ED for further investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The interrogation of Tamannaah Bhatia lasted several hours and was linked not only to her association with HPZ Token but also to allegations regarding the promotion of illegal streaming for Indian Premier League (IPL) matches through a dubious app associated with the Mahadev online gaming and betting platform. Sources revealed that Bhatia had previously been questioned in Maharashtra regarding a similar investigation, focusing on her ties to the Fairplay betting app. This app has been implicated in promoting IPL match viewership, raising suspicions about illegal betting activities.

According to insiders, Bhatia, 34, had attended an event organized by HPZ Token and reportedly received an appearance fee for her participation. Investigators are examining whether her endorsement inadvertently lent credibility to what has now been identified as a fraudulent operation.

The HPZ Token scheme promised investors daily returns of approximately ₹4,000 on an initial investment of ₹57,000 over three months. However, numerous investors have come forward, claiming they were scammed out of their money after receiving payouts only once before being solicited for additional funds under false pretenses.

The ED's investigation has revealed extensive networks linked to the HPZ Token scam, with a charge sheet naming 299 entities, including 76 Chinese-controlled entities. Of these, ten directors are of Chinese origin, while two are foreign nationals. These shell companies and their so-called "dummy" directors were allegedly utilized to establish bank accounts and merchant IDs to obscure the proceeds of crime, effectively layering illicit financial activities.

As part of its extensive investigation, the ED has conducted searches nationwide, resulting in the seizure of immovable assets and bank deposits totaling approximately ₹455 crore. While the ED has stated that there are currently no "incriminating" charges against Tamannaah Bhatia, her association with the HPZ Token event is still under scrutiny.

Despite the ongoing investigation, neither the ED nor Tamannaah Bhatia has made any formal statements regarding the allegations. The actress had previously postponed her summons due to professional commitments but ultimately chose to cooperate with the ED on Thursday. As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Bhatia and the broader entertainment industry remain to be seen, raising critical questions about the responsibilities of public figures in endorsing digital platforms and the potential consequences of their involvement in such schemes.