India: Online betting ring worth RS 150 crore busted in Rajasthan | Gambling Insider
Three arrested in cyber gambling operation linked to nationwide network.
Key points:
– Rajasthan Police dismantled a RS 150 crore ($18m) online betting network, arresting three suspects
– The syndicate operated 30 websites and involved over 60,000 agents and punters
– Proceeds were laundered via hawala and invested in properties across cities
As reported by NDTV, Rajasthan Police have uncovered a sprawling online betting racket valued at over RS 150 crore, leading to the arrest of three individuals, including a software engineer, in Alwar.
The group allegedly developed and managed roughly 30 betting websites that mirrored the popular Mahadev Satta platform. These sites facilitated wagers on cricket matches, notably the IPL, alongside online casino games and regional betting formats such as matka.
Alwar Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Nain stated that the suspects created fake betting apps to lure players and distributed earnings through digital channels and hawala networks. A team from the Udyog Nagar Police Station apprehended Head Constable Sandeep from the cyber cell after an intelligence-led tip-off, launching an investigation that exposed the wider operation.
Good to know: Authorities seized two laptops, six Android smartphones, a hard drive, 15 ATM cards and an SUV during the raid
The three individuals arrested have been identified as Nitin Paliwal from Scheme No. 10B in Alwar, Mahesh Sharma from Apnaghar Shalimar and Piyush Sharma of Shivaji Park in Mathura. Police intercepted Paliwal while returning from Agra, and further evidence obtained from his devices helped trace the rest of the network.
Police say the group was involved in every level of the betting business, from software development to laundering funds. More arrests are anticipated as investigators gather further information on the syndicate’s nationwide links.
The suspects have been remanded in custody for four days while investigations continue. Police indicated that the assets linked to the operation may be seized under organised crime provisions in the Indian Penal Code.
