Several Indian cricketers have been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for months for investigation related to a money laundering case linked to the illegal online betting platform 1xBet. In this connection, on Thursday, ED announced cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan’s provisionally attached assets that are worth Rs 11.14 crore. This action is part of the ongoing investigation of the online betting platform. As per the official, the asset of Raina includes Rs 6.64 crore (this includes mutual fund investments) and an immovable property worth Rs 4.5 crore owned by Dhawan. In connection with the same case, other cricketers questioned are Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa.

How are Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan involved?

As per the statement by a spokesperson of ED, the probe was conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), after numerous FIRs filed across India against the operators of 1xBet. The statement further read that the online platform also operated surrogate brands like 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines, which promote illegal betting and gambling across India. As per ED, both the cricketers Dhawan and Raina were aware of the malpractice of the app, yet entered into an agreement and endorsed the foreign entities attached to the platform, indirectly promoting the app. “Payments for these endorsements were made through foreign entities to obscure the illegal origin of the funds, which were linked to proceeds of crime generated through unlawful betting operations,” added the spokesperson.

Talking about the permission to operate, the agency said the online betting app 1xBet operated in India with no permission and clearly used surrogate branding, social media campaigns, and online advertisements. The payments for endorsements, the spokesperson said, were routed through multiple layers of foreign intermediaries to conceal their illicit source.

What has been the finding in the betting case till date?

There has been a series of search operations, and almost 60 bank accounts that are linked with the case have been frozen. Till now, Rs 4 crore has been frozen. As per the details shared by the agency, many actors including Sonu Sood, former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty, Bollywood actor Urvashi Rautela, and Bengali actor Ankush Hazra were questioned.

It has been found by ED that the betting app 1xBet has used some 6,000 “mule accounts” to facilitate the transactions for users in India. These accounts were used to collect funds and then route them using numerous payment gateways. The most shocking thing is that those merchants haven’t been verified. It is estimated that the laundered fund can exceed up to Rs 1,000 crore.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share