ED Seizes Rs 11.14 Crore Assets from Cricket Stars Raina and Dhawan in Illegal Betting Investigation

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized assets valued at Rs 11.14 crore from former Indian cricket stars Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan amid investigations into illegal betting platforms.

Authorities confiscated Rs 6.64 crore in mutual fund investments from Raina and an immovable property worth Rs 4.5 crore belonging to Dhawan.

According to officials, this action is part of a broader investigation targeting unauthorized offshore betting operations, specifically 1xBet and its surrogate brands 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines. The probe was initiated following multiple FIRs registered by various state police departments across India.

The ED investigation revealed that both cricketers had entered endorsement agreements with foreign entities promoting 1xBet's surrogate brands. Payments for these endorsements were allegedly channeled through complex foreign transaction networks to disguise their connection to illegal betting operations.

Investigators discovered that 1xBet operated extensive betting networks within India utilizing more than 6,000 mule accounts. User funds were reportedly routed through multiple payment gateways without proper KYC verification, effectively concealing the true source of funds. The ED found that merchants were onboarded under false pretenses, with declared business activities that did not match their actual transaction patterns.

Subsequent searches at four payment gateway offices resulted in the seizure of incriminating evidence and the freezing of over Rs 4 crore across 60 bank accounts. The total money laundering operation uncovered so far exceeds Rs 1,000 crore.

The Enforcement Directorate has issued warnings to the public regarding online betting and gambling schemes. Citizens are advised against sharing sensitive account information with unknown entities and cautioned that knowingly assisting such operations could result in prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, potentially leading to imprisonment for up to seven years.

The agency emphasized that illegal betting platforms not only promote financial fraud but also facilitate large-scale money laundering and other criminal activities. The investigation into the 1xBet network and associated individuals continues.