The Enforcement Directorate’s Kolkata Zonal Office carried out searches at nine locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Lucknow, and Varanasi related to an illegal online betting and gambling case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The searches were linked to social media influencer Anurag Dwivedi and various online gaming and betting applications suspected of money laundering activities. Assets including high-end vehicles and digital devices were seized during the operation.
In a previous search on December 17, the ED had raided 10 locations in Lucknow, Unnao, and Delhi associated with Anurag Dwivedi. Luxury vehicles and significant amounts of cash were confiscated during those searches. The investigation revealed investments in Dubai through illicit channels and the freezing of movable assets worth around Rs 3 crore under the PMLA, 2002.
The ED’s probe was initiated based on an FIR by the West Bengal Police regarding illegal online betting operations. It was uncovered that illegal betting activities were being conducted from Siliguri in north Bengal using mule bank accounts and digital platforms. Anurag Dwivedi was found to have promoted illegal betting platforms, received proceeds through illicit channels, and invested in properties in Dubai.
