Enforcement Directorate Targets 1xBet: Assets Worth Rs 18 Crore Seized
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New Delhi, March 2 (NationPress) In a significant move against the unlawful online betting service 1xBet, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized both movable and immovable assets totaling Rs 18.10 crore, as confirmed by an official on Monday.
Following this recent asset confiscation, the cumulative value of properties seized in connection with the case has now reached Rs 37.23 crore, according to the ED's statement.
Previously, in December, the ED had confiscated assets worth Rs 7.93 crore belonging to renowned cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, as well as actor Sonu Sood and others, as part of their crackdown on 1xBet.
On October 6, the agency had also seized assets valued at Rs 11.14 crore linked to cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina.
The latest seizure by the ED's Headquarters Unit in New Delhi was executed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Investigations by the federal agency revealed that 1xBet was operating in India without proper authorization and was promoting illegal online betting and gambling activities through various mirror websites.
The platform employed a sophisticated mechanism for collecting funds using dynamically generated UPI IDs connected to mule bank accounts, thus concealing the actual beneficiaries and layering the proceeds of crime, the ED stated.
Further findings indicated that Parthtech Developers LLP, which runs popular cricket platforms CREX and OneCricket, had engaged in structured advertising agreements with Wise Media AG from Switzerland to promote illegal betting platforms, including 1xBet.
Statements gathered under Section 50 of PMLA confirmed that advertisements for 1xBet were directly booked, geo-targeted, and executed on the CREX platform through Parthtech Developers LLP's in-house advertising server, Parth Adex.
The ED has urged the public to exercise caution against unauthorized online betting and gambling platforms, specifically highlighting 1xBet, which operates contrary to Indian regulations.
The advisory emphasized that individuals should refrain from engaging with unauthorized online betting or gambling services, avoid transferring funds to dubious UPI IDs or unknown payment links associated with betting apps/websites, and not disclose personal or banking information on such platforms.
Furthermore, any information regarding illegal betting operations, promotional networks, payment channels, or related entities should be reported to the ED or the nearest law enforcement agency.