Kannada actress Ranya Rao and her associate Tarun Konduru Raju were allegedly defrauded of ₹2 crore by a Ugandan gold agent while attempting to directly source gold from Africa, before shifting their operations to smuggling gold into India via Dubai, according to officials citing the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) charge sheet.
The pair initially sought assistance from Kenyan officials regarding the fraud before abandoning direct sourcing from Africa. Rao, the stepdaughter of IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, was intercepted at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, on March 3, 2025, allegedly carrying 14.213 kg of gold valued at ₹12.56 crore, concealed on her person. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation the same month, and the ED initiated a parallel money-laundering investigation, attaching assets worth ₹34.12 crore held in Rao’s name.
The ED alleges that between March 2024 and March 2025, the syndicate smuggled over 127 kg of gold valued at ₹102 crore. The agency’s investigation revealed that Rao and Raju established Vira Diamonds Trading LLC in Dubai in 2023 to facilitate the import of precious metals.
Initially, they attempted to procure gold directly from African suppliers, engaging a Uganda-based agent named Ben for a trial shipment. After paying approximately $25,000 upfront, followed by two additional payments of roughly $10,000 each, no gold was delivered. Raju traveled to Kampala on January 1, 2024, and was asked to pay an additional ₹1.70 crore to release the consignment, discovering the scheme after Rao attempted to arrange the funds from Dubai.
Following the failed ventures in Uganda and Kenya, Rao and Raju began purchasing gold from African dealers in Dubai’s Deira gold souk, utilizing cash transactions. To smuggle the gold into India, Raju, a US passport holder, filed false customs declarations with Dubai Customs, falsely stating the gold was destined for countries like Switzerland or Thailand. The gold was then handed over to Rao at the Dubai airport for transport to India.
The ED documented 15 trips made by Rao from Dubai to India between March 2024 and March 2025, used to smuggle 127.87 kg of gold. The charge sheet also details the alleged misuse of airport protocol by Rao, leveraging her family connections to a senior Karnataka police official to bypass normal customs screening with the assistance of a head constable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the initial attempt made by Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju to procure gold?
Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju initially attempted to directly source gold from suppliers in African nations such as Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
How much money did Rao and Raju allegedly lose in the Ugandan gold scam?
Rao and Raju allegedly lost over ₹2 crore in the scam involving a Uganda-based gold agent.
How did the pair attempt to evade customs detection when smuggling gold into India?
Raju posed as an exporter of gold to a third country by filing false customs declarations in Dubai, while Rao transported the gold to India, allegedly utilizing airport protocol assistance due to her family connections.
Given the complexities of international gold trading and the lengths to which individuals will go to circumvent regulations, what further measures might be taken to strengthen oversight and prevent future smuggling attempts?