Latest news with #WestBengalGamblingandPrizeCompetitionsAct
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Economic Times
Online betting, gambling: ED freezes over 760 'mule' bank accounts, arrests two
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen 766 "mule" bank accounts and over a dozen credit and debit cards besides arresting two persons as part of a money laundering investigation against a racket that conducted illegal betting in IPL and T20 cricket world cup matches apart from gambling, the agency said.A mule bank account is used to launder illicit funds by criminals or fraudsters without the consent or knowledge of the real account federal probe agency said in a statement issued on Thursday that the action was taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) while it carried out searches at various premises in West Bengal, Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and money laundering case stems from an FIR registered by the West Bengal Police in Siliguri under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competitions Act, modus operandi deployed by the accused includes opening of "mule" bank accounts (saving, current and corporate) by recruiting people to act as "money mules" in exchange for money paid either as a one-time basis or on a recurring monthly basis, depending on the nature and utility of the account, the ED agency said these bank accounts were "specifically" intended for the collection and subsequent layering of proceeds generated through illegal online betting and gambling activities being run through some websites and channels of the online communication platform Telegram."These mule account holders had no control or access to the accounts. The scamsters induced people to contact through WhatsApp numbers for betting and gambling in different games like IPL (Indian Premier League related to T20 cricket), ISL (Indian Super League linked to football), T20 World Cup, online rummy, online casino, etc.," the ED hundred sixty-six mule bank accounts and 17 debit or credit cards linked to the activities connected with proceeds of crime have been frozen and two persons, Vishal Bhardwaj alias Badal Bhardwaj and Sonu Kr Thakur, have been arrested, the ED agency said the two persons were also charge-sheeted by the West Bengal Police in their charge-sheet filed in the case earlier but they were shown as "absconders".
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
ED Kolkata arrests two in connection with online betting, gambling racket
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kolkata Zonal Office arrested two persons during their search operations across West Bengal, Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Assam, in connection to an alleged betting and gambling racket through online games. Two persons named Vishal Bhardwaj alias Badal Bharadwaj, and Sonu Kumar Thakur, were arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 and remanded to 10 days custody by the Hon'ble Special Court (PMLA), Calcutta, according to a June 5 statement by the ED. The case is linked to a First Information Report lodged by West Bengal's Siliguri Police Commissionerate under various sections of Indian Penal Code, 1860 and West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competitions Act, 1957. In the chargesheet, the accused were shown to be absconders, the ED statement read. In connection to this alleged racket, the ED also froze 766 mule bank accounts and 17 debit and credit cards, and seized several incriminating documents and digital devices, according to a statement by the investigating agency. 'The modus operandi includes opening of mule bank accounts (saving, current and corporate accounts) by recruiting people to act as money mules in exchange of money paid either as a one-time basis or on a recurring monthly basis, depending on the nature and utility of the account,' the ED said in its statement. It added that the scamsters allegedly persuaded people to contact through WhatsApp numbers for betting and gambling in different games like IPL, ISL, T20 World Cup, Online Rummy, Online Casino, etc. The statement further mentioned that the mule bank accounts are allegedly intended for the specific purpose of the collection and subsequent layering of funds generated through illegal online betting and gambling through websites and Telegram channels. The account holders allegedly could not control or access the accounts. Further investigation is in progress, the investigating agency said.
India Today
19-05-2025
- India Today
Cops bust live gambling racket in Kolkata, 15 arrested with over Rs 1 lakh
Kolkata Police on Monday busted a live gambling racket in the Ekbalpur area of the city during a targeted raid, arresting 15 people, including a prime accused, who were caught red-handed playing cards, officials said. The team seized Rs 1,01,920 in cash, believed to be proceeds from the illegal activity."All 15 individuals, including one Rabi Dhanuk, were found indulging in gambling, drawing in members of the public for wrongful gain and thereby causing financial harm to others," senior officer told India Today accused were unable to produce any valid documentation or offer satisfactory explanations for operating the gambling den. A case was registered, and all 15 were arrested. Authorities also confiscated gambling paraphernalia and all money involved in the activity from the case has been registered under Sections 112(1)(2)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 4 of the West Bengal Gambling and Prize Competitions Act, 1957. The accused are set to be produced before the Alipore court, where police will seek custody for further interrogation."We are investigating the larger network. If any other individuals are found to be involved, they too will be brought to book, the officer Watch IN THIS STORY#West Bengal
