Kozhikode: Hawala money flows via Whatsapp

KOZHIKODE: Gone are the days when the pipe (black) money agents were traced with the slips (bits of paper with names of customers on it) and handed over to the Enforcement department. Police says the practice of 'slip' has been majorly replaced by WhatsApp groups so that it becomes really tough to them to verify when a huge seizure is made. The seized money can be handed over to the Enforcement only after verifying them, say the officials.

This week, a major seizure to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore was made in Perinthalmanna, Malappuram, and arrested two youngsters. "Perinthalmanna is believed to be the town in the state where maximum number of seizures of pipe money is made. The accused are also mostly youngsters aged from 25 to 30. For the past two years, WhatsApp group transactions are rampant and it is difficult to make out to where they are taking the money," said an officer, who was part of the seizure. Another seizure of Rs 3 crore was made from the same area earlier this week, he said.

Apart from the WhatsApp group messages, SMS and mobile phone calls are also made to keep track with the customer, however, the online conversations are replacing all the traditional methods, he said. Every advancement in the technology being used by the smugglers are, in effect, another blow to the Enforcement, which is already suffering a staff shortage, said the official, who do not wish to be quoted. He also added that the comparatively "risk-free" tasks assigned by the mafia lures more youngsters to take up the job of agents, who receive an average of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 on a single "mission" from Chennai or Bangalore to Kerala.