The Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigating the online gaming and money laundering case is now going to take decisive steps. According to sources, the ED may soon attach movable and immovable assets worth crores of rupees of some cricketers and actors. These include some abroad property. This action will be taken under the Money Laundering Prevention Act (PMLA).
ED investigation has revealed that online betting and gaming portal called ‘1xbet’ gave huge amount to many Indian stars through advertisements. The ED has decided to attach the properties purchased from these money, considering the income of the crime. Some of these properties are in India, while many property are also being told in countries like UAE.
According to sources, the ED is currently revolving and evaluating these properties. The agency may soon issue temporary attachment orders. After this, this order will be sent to the decisive authority of the Money Laundering Prevention Act. On getting approval from here, a charge sheet will be filed in the court to seize these properties.
During the investigation of this case, the ED has questioned many famous cricketers in recent weeks. These include Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa and Shikhar Dhawan. Apart from this, actor Sonu Sood, former MP and actress Mimi Chakraborty and Bengali film actor Ankush Hazra were also questioned. Some social media influencers have also been summoned.
The agency has registered the statements of all these celebrities under Section 50 of the PMLA. Many of them have entrusted the details of their accounts and transactions to the investigating officers, through which they received the advertisement fee from the online platform. Actress Urvashi Rautela was also summoned. She has been the brand ambassador of ‘1xbet’, but is currently abroad.
Because of this, his statement has not been recorded yet. The ED raised many important questions to these celebrities during interrogation. For example, how 1xbet contacted, who was the nodal person of the company in India, what was the method of payment, the amount was received in India or abroad and whether these celebrities knew that online betting in India is illegal.
Investigating officers have also sought the contracts made by them and all the email documents related to them. 1xbet is registered in Kuracao. He describes himself as a global recognized bookie. The company claims that it has 18 years of experience in the betting industry. His website and app are available in 70 languages. Customers can bet on thousands of events.
Let us tell you that the central government has recently banned online gaming with real money in India by bringing a new law. According to government data, before the ban, about 22 crore people in the country used these online apps, about half of which were regular users. During this time, money was transacted in illegal methods.
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