Kolkata, Jan 5 (NationPress) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), operating from the Kolkata Zonal Office, has executed search operations at nine locations across Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Lucknow, and Varanasi as part of an investigation into an illegal online betting and gambling case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

A statement released by the central agency on Monday indicated that the searched premises are associated with social media influencer and YouTuber Anurag Dwivedi, as well as various online gaming and betting platforms suspected of involvement in the generation and laundering of proceeds of crime (PoC).

During these operations, two luxury vehicles — a Land Rover Defender and a BMW Z4 — linked to Anurag Dwivedi were seized or frozen under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002. Furthermore, numerous incriminating documents and digital devices were confiscated.

Previously, on December 17 of the previous year, the ED had carried out searches at ten locations in Lucknow, Unnao, and Delhi connected to Anurag Dwivedi. Those searches resulted in the seizure of four luxury vehicles — Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes, Ford Endeavour, and Thar — in addition to incriminating documents, digital devices, and cash amounting to around Rs 20 lakh.

The seized items revealed investments in real estate in Dubai through hawala channels. Movable assets valued at approximately Rs 3 crore, which included insurance policies, fixed deposits, and bank balances, were frozen under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA, 2002.

The ED's investigation was initiated based on an FIR filed by the West Bengal Police concerning illegal online betting activities. It was discovered that an online betting platform was being run from Siliguri in north Bengal by accused Sonu Kumar Thakur and Vishal Bhardwaj using mule bank accounts and digital platforms.

The ED further indicated that Anurag Dwivedi allegedly promoted illegal betting platforms, received proceeds of crime via hawala channels and mule accounts, and acquired immovable properties in Dubai using such funds.

Additionally, it was noted that Dwivedi has left India and is currently residing in Dubai, having failed to appear before the ED despite multiple summons being issued.

In earlier developments of this case, the ED had arrested three individuals and filed a prosecution complaint with the Special Court (PMLA), Kolkata, in August last year. The agency also froze or attached movable assets worth approximately Rs 27 crore.