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Apr 2025
1h 28m

Gold Smuggling, Raids, Corruption, Black...

Raj Shamani
About this episode

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Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video.



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(00:00) – Introduction


(01:54) – What is IRS


(02:16) – First Posting


(03:45) – Gold Found Inside a Machine


(05:10) – Catching Smugglers


(07:52) – Most Smuggled Item


(09:25) – Crazy Gold Smuggling Stories


(14:53) – Limits on Bringing Items from Abroad


(15:49) – Shark Teeth & Live Scorpions


(16:27) – Busting a Smuggling Racket


(20:38) – Is Corruption Rampant?


(21:39) – Salary & Perks of an IRS Officer


(23:17) – Corruption in Customs


(29:18) – Most Likely Areas for Corruption


(31:22) – Why People Fear Customs


(35:33) – Relationship with Corrupt Officers


(41:23) – Where Black Money is Stored


(41:54) – The Process of a Raid


(50:14) – Challenges in Raiding a Politician


(52:58) – Why Halawa Can’t Be Stopped


(54:07) – Political Influence on Raids


(56:05) – Powers of a GST Officer


(1:00:34) – Actions Taken for Tax Evasion


(1:04:03) – Fake Aadhaar & SIM Cards


(1:08:10) – Why He Never Got Greedy


(1:12:55) – Why People Are Leaving India


(1:14:10) – Corruption: India vs. the US


(1:16:43) – India’s Biggest Problem


(1:17:56) – The Unfiltered Reality of India


(1:19:37) – Why He Left His Job


(1:21:29) – UPSC


(1:24:30) – Politicians vs Businessmen


(1:25:26) – Thank You


(1:26:30) – BTS


(1:27:12) – Outro



In this episode, Ravi Kapoor, a former IRS officer, reveals how suspicious passengers are actually picked at airports, why gold is the most smuggled item, and how drugs often slip through undetected unless you're lucky or have strong intelligence. He shares shocking stories, from gold hidden inside ice machines to ingested drug pellets that sometimes burst and kill the carrier.



We talk about corruption inside the system, how it begins, where it thrives (especially in land dealings), and why even honest businessmen fear customs officers.



In the last segment, we discuss fake invoices and hawala, the real powers of an IRS officer, and why officers sometimes raid politicians at their own risk. We also get into the deeper questions, why Indians are obsessed with UPSC, whether today’s youth are more ethical, and the real reason so many are leaving India.


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About Raj Shamani


Raj Shamani is an Entrepreneur at heart that explains his expertise in Business Content Creation & Public Speaking. He has delivered 200+ speeches in 26+ countries. Besides that, Raj is also an Angel Investor interested in crazy minds who are creating a sensation in the Fintech, FMCG, & passion economy space.



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About Figuring Out


Figuring Out Podcast is a Candid Conversations University where Raj Shamani brings raw conversations with the Top 1% in India.

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