The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at nine locations across Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Lucknow, and Varanasi in connection with an illegal online gambling and betting case. The operation was carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
According to an official statement from the ED’s Kolkata regional office, the premises searched were linked to social media influencer and YouTuber Anurag Dwivedi, as well as various online gaming and betting applications suspected of generating and laundering proceeds of crime.
During the raids, two luxury vehicles associated with Anurag Dwivedi—a Land Rover Defender and a BMW Z4—were seized under the PMLA provisions. Additionally, several incriminating documents and digital devices were confiscated.
Earlier, on December 17 last year, the ED had conducted searches at ten properties connected to Anurag Dwivedi in Lucknow, Unnao, and Delhi. During those operations, four luxury cars, including a Lamborghini Urus, a Mercedes, a Ford Endeavour, and a Thar, were seized along with objectionable documents, digital devices, and nearly ₹20 lakh in cash.
The seized materials revealed investments in real estate in Dubai made through hawala channels. Movable assets worth approximately ₹3 crore, including insurance policies, fixed deposits, and bank balances, were frozen under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA.
The ED’s investigation is based on a First Information Report filed by West Bengal Police concerning illegal online betting activities. It was discovered that accused Sonu Kumar Thakur and Vishal Bhardwaj operated an online betting panel from Siliguri, North Bengal, using fake bank accounts and digital platforms.
The agency further stated that their probe established that Anurag Dwivedi allegedly promoted illegal betting platforms, received criminal proceeds through hawala channels and intermediary accounts, and used these funds to purchase properties in Dubai.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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