New Delhi, May 16 (IANS): The ED has attached 56 flats, 16 villas and crores of rupees in bank account of Goa-based Sanatan Financers and Real Estates Pvt Ltd in a cheating and money laundering case.

The seized flats and villas located in Peace Valley near Sirvoi in South Goa district stand in the names of Sanatan Financers and Real Estates Pvt Ltd, Goa. Besides, Rs 7.73 crore lying in a bank account have been attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The ED had in second week of March arrested Goa-based company CEO and former director under the PMLA on charge of laundering money by cheating foreigners on the pretext of selling them real estate in the beach state.

The central agency had initiated investigations on the basis of First Information Reports registered by Goa Police against the company, Ankit Kumar and Sunil Kumar on the complaints lodged by foreign nationals.

The two accused illegally collected funds from the complainants on the pretext of selling flats and villas in a project named "Peace Valley" through Foreign Direct Investment route in the accounts of their different shell companies, including Sanatan Financers and Real Estates Pvt Ltd.

"However, the ownership of these flats and villas was never transferred to the foreign nationals. In this manner, from 2006 to 2011, the accused collected Rs 7.73 crore by duping the foreign nationals and acquired 16 villas valued at Rs 2.56 crore and 56 flats in Goa valued at Rs 5.17 crore," the agency said.