India, April 26 -- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken into custody 33-year-old Aishwarya Gowda, accused of masterminding a series of elaborate scams targeting Karnataka's elite, after she allegedly laundered over Rs.20 crore through fraudulent schemes, Indian Express reported.

Gowda was arrested on Thursday and presented before a special court, which remanded her to ED custody for a period of two weeks for further investigation, the report further added.

According to officials, Gowda portrayed herself as the sister of prominent Congress leaders, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and MP DK Suresh, to gain the trust of affluent individuals, including doctors, business families, and jewellers.

The Bengaluru police had earlier re...