The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) has arrested 11 accused in a pan-India operation targeting an illegal online betting network linked to Dafabet, conducting raids across New Delhi, Gujarat, and Punjab. Announced on 1 June 2025, the crackdown also resulted in the freezing of 46 mule bank accounts used to route illegal proceeds across eight financial layers.

How the Network Operated

The case originated from a complaint filed at Karimnagar-II Town Police Station by Challa Sai Krishna Reddy, a software engineer from Karimnagar, who lost ₹9.95 lakh after being drawn in by Dafabet's promotional campaigns between January 2024 and January 2025. Investigators traced his funds through a layered network of 46 mule bank accounts spanning eight tiers, with forensic analysis of bank transactions, mobile numbers, email IDs, social media profiles, and WhatsApp groups exposing a coordinated multi-state operation.

The network promoted betting on cricket, casino games, and the Aviator platform via the Dafabet app, luring victims with promises of bonuses and high returns. Funds were collected through UPI IDs, QR codes, internet banking, and multiple bank accounts. Initial payouts were made strategically to build trust and encourage larger wagers — a classic confidence-fraud pattern.

Who Was Arrested and Where

Six special teams, each led by a DSP-rank officer, were deployed across New Delhi, Gujarat, and Punjab. Despite the accused frequently switching mobile phones, SIM cards, and locations to evade detection, sustained surveillance over two weeks led to the arrest of all 11 accused on 29 May 2025.

Those arrested include Manish Singh, 24, and Abhishek Singh, 26, both from Gujarat, identified as organisers receiving funds from the app. Igneshious Dass, 27, Abhishek Wadhva, 27, and Mohd Halim, 24, all from Delhi, allegedly operated mule accounts on a commission basis. Love Kumar of Patiala, Punjab, and Simarpreeth Singh of Ludhiana, Punjab, allegedly created fake firms to receive app funds. Ajith Singh, 27, Vijay Patidar, 25, Yugal Patidar, 24, and Prateek Praveen Bhai, all from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, allegedly provided technical support to the two main accused.

Seizures and Evidence

Police seized three luxury vehicles — a BMW, a Mercedes, and a Kia Seltos — along with eight laptops, two iPads, 26 mobile phones, five passports, and ₹3,21,900 in cash. Transit warrants have been obtained and all accused are being brought to CID Police Station, Hyderabad, for production before the Judicial Magistrate of First Class (Special Mobile) PCR Court, Karimnagar.

Scale of the Crackdown

Data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) shows 225 complaints and 73 criminal cases registered against the accused across Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

Telangana Police have registered 414 cases against illegal online betting applications statewide. A total of 108 betting apps have been flagged to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and subsequently blocked, while 37 apps have been geo-fenced in coordination with Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Additionally, 25 celebrities and social media influencers were counselled against promoting such platforms.

What the CID Director General Said

Charu Sinha, Director General of the Telangana CID, said at a press conference that the investigation revealed the accused were involved in online betting offences across multiple states. She noted that the SIT was constituted specifically to combat illegal online betting and protect citizens from the financial and psychological harm caused by such platforms. All police stations in Telangana are conducting public awareness programmes to educate youth and families about the risks of online betting.

With transit warrants executed and the accused en route to Hyderabad, formal charges before the Karimnagar court are expected in the coming days — marking the most significant enforcement action in Telangana's ongoing campaign against illegal online gambling.