Indian financial crime agency raids Chinese-owned Vivo

Many Chinese companies have struggled to do business in India due to political tensions following a border clash in 2020.

The headquarters of Vivo is seen in Sao Paulo | Photo Credit: Reuters

India's financial crime-fighting agency on Tuesday raided the offices of smartphone maker Vivo, owned by China's BBK Electronics, and its related entities, a senior government official and an industry executive told Reuters.

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The searches by the Enforcement Directorate are part of an investigation into suspected money laundering, local media reported. The Directorate and Vivo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The sources declined to be named as the probe is not public.

The raids at Vivo come months after the Enforcement Directorate launched an investigation into Xiaomi Corp , one of India's leading smartphone sellers, for alleged illegal remittances abroad "in the guise of royalty" payments.

Xiaomi has denied any wrongdoing, and alleged in court that its top executives faced threats of "physical violence" and coercion during questioning by officials at the Directorate. The agency denied the allegations.

Many Chinese companies have struggled to do business in India due to political tensions following a border clash in 2020. India has cited security concerns in since banning more than 300 Chinese apps, and also tightened norms for Chinese companies investing in India.