Have responded to ED on crypto scam probe, say payment firms | India News

NEW DELHI: Paytm, Easebuzz and PayU said on Friday that ED probe against HPZ Token – a crypto currency scam operated by Chinese nationals across 20 states with Rs 500 crore seized by the agency in virtual accounts of eight payment gateways – pertains to an investigation started in 2022 when they were contacted by ED and that they have already responded to queries.
Razorpay denied it is under ED scrutiny. “We haven’t received any new inquiries,” a spokesperson said, although he didn’t comment on ED freezing Rs 18 crore in its virtual accounts in case related to HPZ Token money laundering case.
Paytm said the earlier searches in this case were related to “certain merchants for whom Paytm had provided payment processing solutions. Since these entities are not part of the group, ED’s probe is on third party merchants”.
“Easebuzz has consistently provided all necessary information to relevant authorities as and when requested. We remain committed to operate in full compliance with all existing regulations,” a company spokesperson said.
Spokesperson for PayU said that “the investigations referenced in the recent media reports relate to events in 2022, for which we have fully cooperated with ED in the past.”