Telangana CID arrests 11 in online betting racket linked to Dafabet; luxury cars, devices seized
Telangana CID arrested 11 people in a multi-state online betting racket linked to Dafabet. Officials seized luxury cars, devices and cash, and uncovered a network of mule accounts. The operation spanned several states with over 400 related cases in Telangana.
Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team of the Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Monday arrested 11 persons who were allegedly involved in online betting application. The police seized three luxury cars, eight laptops, two ipads, 26 mobile phones, five passports and Rs. 3.21 lakh cash from them.
The arrested are Manish Singh and Abhishek Singh, both organizers of the online betting app ‘www.dafabet.com’, Igneshious Das, Mohd Halim, and Abhishek Wadhav arranged mule accounts on commission. Love Kumar and Simarpreeth Singh, created a fake firm and received app funds, Ajith Singh, Vijay Patidar, Yugal Patidar, Prateek Praveen Bhai, all four technical support team members.
Charu Sinha, Director General of Police, Crime Investigation Department, said the arrest were made following investigation into a case where a Karimnagar resident was duped of around Rs. 9.95 lakh in online betting platform “www.dafabet.com”
“The SIT traced the funds through a network of 46 mule bank accounts spread across eight layers, used to collect and route illegal betting proceeds. Forensic analysis of bank transactions, mobile numbers, email accounts, social media profiles and whatsapp groups revealed a coordinated, multi-state criminal network,” said Charu Sinha, DGP CID.
The organizers promoted betting on cricket, casino games and the aviator platform through the “Dafabet app. Victims were attracted with promises of easy money, bonuses, and high returns. “Funds were collected through UPI IDs, QR Codes, internet banking, and multiple bank accounts controlled by the network. Initial payouts were made strategically to build trust and encourage higher wages,” said the official.
After the case was registered six teams headed by a DSP rank officer, were sent to New Delhi, Gujarat, and Punjab. The teams managed to trace after a two week long operation and nabbed 11 members of the network.
Investigation has revealed the suspects were involved in online betting offences across multiple states. Data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal shows 225 complaints and 73 criminal cases registered against them in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, and Telangana.
Charu Sinha said that so far in the state 414 cases were registered against various illegal online betting applications across the State. And 108 online betting applications were identified and blocked. “Geo fencing of 37 betting applications in coordination with internet service providers restricting their access within Telangana was done,” said the official.
The DGP CID said that 25 celebrities and social media influencers, who were promoting the online betting apps, were counseled and encouraged to spread awareness about the harms associated with online betting. “If any of the celebrities endorse the online betting apps again, cases will be booked against them,” warned the official.
