In a recent move against the illegal online betting platform 1xBet, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized movable and immovable assets valued at Rs 18.10 crore. This brings the total worth of assets attached in the case to Rs 37.23 crore. Previously, in December, assets worth Rs 7.93 crore belonging to cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, actor Sonu Sood, and others were also seized in connection with the action against 1xBet.
The ED had earlier attached assets totaling Rs 11.14 crore of cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on October 6. The recent attachment action by the ED’s Headquarters Unit in New Delhi against 1xBet was carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Investigations revealed that 1xBet was operating in India without authorization, promoting illegal online betting and gambling activities through various mirror websites.
According to the ED, 1xBet used a concealed mechanism to collect funds via dynamically generated UPI IDs linked to mule bank accounts, thereby masking the actual beneficiaries and layering the proceeds of crime. The central probe agency stated that Parthtech Developers LLP, which operates high-traffic cricket platforms CREX and OneCricket, had engaged in structured advertisement agreements with Wise Media AG, Switzerland, for the promotion of illegal betting platforms, including 1xBet.
The ED has cautioned the public to be wary of illegal online betting and gambling platforms operating in India, such as 1xBet, which have been found to operate without authorization and in violation of Indian laws. The advisory urges individuals not to interact with unauthorized online betting or gambling platforms, transfer funds to suspicious UPI IDs or unknown payment links associated with betting apps/websites, or share personal or banking details on such platforms. Any information regarding illegal betting operations, promotional networks, payment channels, or associated entities can be reported to the ED or the nearest law enforcement agency.
