Telangana CID busts inter-state betting racket, 11 arrested

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Telangana police has successfully dismantled an alleged illegal online betting syndicate operating across state borders. In a coordinated operation, 11 individuals were arrested from Gujarat, Delhi, and Punjab, as announced by CID Director General Charu Sinha on Monday.

Sinha detailed that the arrests were made by a special investigation team (SIT) formed to combat illegal online betting and protect citizens from financial and psychological harm. The crackdown was initiated following a complaint by Challa Sai Krishna Reddy, a software engineer from Karimnagar. Reddy reported being lured into online betting through aggressive advertising by the Dafabet platform, leading him to wager approximately ₹9.95 lakh between January 2024 and January 2025, ultimately losing the substantial sum.

During the investigation, the SIT uncovered a complex money laundering network involving 46 mule bank accounts. These accounts were used in an eight-layer transaction process to collect and transfer betting proceeds, indicating a sophisticated operation. Forensic analysis of bank transactions, mobile data, emails, and social media activity confirmed the existence of a well-organized interstate betting syndicate.

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We have called them to our office and counselled them against endorsing online betting applications. We have not booked any cases against them, but asked them to create awareness about the financial and social harm associated with such activities.

The accused allegedly promoted betting activities, including those related to cricket matches, casino games, and the Aviator gaming platform, primarily through the Dafabet application. They reportedly enticed victims with bonus offers, guaranteed payouts, and promises of quick profits. Funds were collected via UPI, QR codes, internet banking, and multiple bank accounts controlled by the syndicate. Initial winnings were strategically paid out to build trust and encourage larger wagers.

In a related development, Sinha revealed that 25 celebrities and social media influencers have been identified for allegedly endorsing online betting platforms within the state. While no cases have been filed against them, they were summoned and counseled against promoting such applications. The CID urged them to raise awareness about the financial and social dangers associated with online betting. Notably, 21 of these individuals have already submitted video messages discouraging public participation in online betting, while the remaining four are yet to provide their commitments.

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We have called them to our office and counselled them against endorsing online betting applications. We have not booked any cases against them, but asked them to create awareness about the financial and social harm associated with such activities.