ED Introduces QR Code to Issue Summons to Ensure Authenticity of Summons
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has recently released a press release warning about a new fraud where the scammers pretend to be ED officials and send fake summons. These fake summons look closely similar to the real ones, and many people get trapped in this scam as it becomes difficult to understand which one is real and fake. These scammers cheat or extort money from them.
To stop this, the ED has now introduced a new system where the official summons will be generated online and will have a QR code and a unique Passcode printed at the bottom. These summons will also have the signature, stamp, email ID and phone number of the officer who has issued them. The ED officials have been asked to issue the summons like this, except in some exceptional circumstances.
ED also warned people about another scam called “Digital Arrest“. In this fraud, scammers pretend to be ED officers and show fake arrest orders online. ED has clearly said that there is no such thing as a digital or online arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. All arrests by ED are done physically and after following proper due procedure.
Here is how you can verify the authenticity of the summons:
- Step 1: Scan the QR code on the summons.
- Step 2: It will take you to the ED’s website.
- Step 3: Enter the unique passcode on the summons.
- Step 4: If the details are correct, the summons content (like the name of the person, the officer’s name and post, and the date) will appear on the screen to confirm it is genuine.
In other cases, here is how you can verify it:
- Step 1: Go to the link at https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/ and click on “Verify Your Summons“.
- Step 2: Submit the summons number and the unique passcode.
- Step 3: If the details are correct, the summons content (like the name of the person, the officer’s name and post, and date) will appear on the screen to confirm it is genuine.
This verification can be done after 24 hours of receiving the summons (excluding holidays and weekends). If the summons does not have a QR code, you can verify it by contacting the following ED office:
- Name of officer: Sh. Rahul Verma
- Designation: Assistant Director
- Address: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), A-Block, Pravartan Bhawan, APJ Kalam Road, New Delhi – 110011.
- Email ID: adinv2-ed[at]gov[dot]in
- Phone: 011-23339172
