Whispers of shadowy money trails and hidden influence campaigns have followed George Soros’ global network for years.
But this time, the speculation has erupted into a full-scale confrontation.
In a stunning move that rattled both political circles and the nonprofit sector, Indian authorities launched a sweeping crackdown, unveiling what they claim is one of the most extensive covert foreign funding schemes ever uncovered in the country.
In a high-profile operation shaking the international NGO community, India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids across eight locations linked to Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF) and its financial arm, the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), over alleged violations of foreign exchange laws.
The probe, conducted under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), centers on what investigators describe as a complex financial web designed to funnel overseas funds into India disguised as consultancy payments and investments. Reports suggest Soros-backed entities may have moved more than $3 billion into Indian NGOs, despite the Ministry of Home Affairs barring his organizations from directly funding them since 2016.
Officials allege the groups masked illicit contributions as foreign direct investment (FDI), enabling them to bypass restrictions while quietly shaping India’s civic and political landscape. “They used FDI as a cover,” one source told local media, describing the operation as a long-term attempt to influence civil society under the radar.
Meanwhile, Soros’ activities are facing new scrutiny in the United States. Republican lawmakers are challenging his recent purchase of more than 200 radio stations through Audacy Inc. The multi-million-dollar acquisition, greenlit under the Biden-era Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has drawn GOP criticism amid fears it could give Soros sweeping sway over the media environment ahead of the 2024 election.
Conclusion
The coordinated raids in India and political backlash in the U.S. underscore the growing global spotlight on George Soros’ financial and media empire. To supporters, his work represents philanthropy and the advancement of open societies. To critics, it reflects calculated influence campaigns operating across borders.
With billions of dollars in play and control of key media platforms now under investigation, Soros faces some of the most serious challenges yet to his international reach—raising pressing questions about money, power, and the unseen forces shaping democracies worldwide.