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Maharashtra

Mahadev Betting Case: ED Attaches Assets Worth ₹387.99 Crore Linked To Illegal Betting Syndicate Operations

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Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated on Saturday that its Raipur zonal unit has issued a Provisional Attachment Order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, attaching assets worth Rs 387.99 crore in connection with the ongoing Mahadev Online Book betting case. The order, issued on December 5, 2024, marks a significant escalation in the ED’s crackdown on the syndicate’s illegal financial operations.

According to the ED statement, the attached assets include investments linked to one of the accused, Hari Shankar Tibrewal, through a Mauritius-based company, M/s Tano Investment Opportunities Fund. These investments, channeled via Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), are part of a broader financial network facilitating the betting operations. In addition to these investments, several immovable properties located in Chhattisgarh, Mumbai, and Madhya Pradesh, belonging to the syndicate’s promoters and their associates, have also been seized.

The ED’s investigations have revealed that M/s Mahadev Online Book, an umbrella syndicate, has been running online platforms for illegal betting. The syndicate’s operations include enrolling new users, creating User IDs, and laundering money through a complex web of benami bank accounts, further complicating efforts to track the illicit funds.

As part of its ongoing investigation, the ED has seized and frozen assets, including cash amounting to Rs 19.36 crore and valuables worth Rs 16.68 crore. Additionally, movable assets, such as bank balances and securities, totaling Rs 1,729.17 crore, have been frozen. Earlier in the case, two Provisional Attachment Orders were issued, attaching assets worth Rs 142.86 crore. In total, the ED has seized, frozen, or attached proceeds of crime worth approximately Rs 2,295.61 crore.

In a breakthrough development, ED investigators uncovered that substantial funds generated from the betting business were being funneled into the stock market through a network of dummy companies. These companies, operated by several accused and absconding associates, were reportedly used to divert Rs 423 crore into stock portfolios as of February 29, 2024. Professional entry operators helped manipulate these funds, converting them into legitimate transactions through unlisted equity dealings, masking the illicit origins of the money.

So far, the ED has arrested 11 individuals in connection with the Mahadev Online Book betting case and has filed four Prosecution Complaints before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA) in Raipur. The investigation continues, with more arrests and seizures expected as financial probe authorities work to dismantle the syndicate’s operations and recover the illicit proceeds.

Maharashtra

70-Year-Old Retired Professor From Nagpur Loses ₹16.5 Lakh In ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam

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Mumbai: A 70-year-old retired professor from Nagpur lost Rs16.50 lakh after falling victim to a digital arrest scam.

The fraudster falsely accused him of involvement in child trafficking and claimed a bank account in Mumbai, allegedly in his name, contained proceeds from the crime. On May 6, the professor received a call from someone claiming a mobile number issued in Bengaluru under his name was used for illegal activities.

The caller then transferred him to a supposed police officer via video call, who showed him a bogus arrest warrant and demanded his Aadhaar details. Claiming the professor needed to appear before Delhi police or face arrest, the scammer said he had been placed under ‘digital arrest’ and instructed him to transfer funds for verification.

Fearing legal trouble, the complainant transferred Rs16.5 lakh across multiple accounts. After receiving vague responses when he asked for his money back, the professor realised he had been cheated and approached the cyber police to file a complaint. According to police officials, further investigation has been taken up.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Airport Receives Bomb Threat, Police Arrest 35-Year-Old Man

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Police have arrested a 35-year-old man who made a bomb threat call claiming that the Mumbai International Airport would be blown up by 2 PM today. The arrest was made by MIDC Police shortly after the threatening call was received by the Mumbai police control room.

The accused, identified as Manjeet Kumar Gautam, originally hails from Uttar Pradesh but currently resides in the Sakinaka area of Mumbai.

According to officials, Gautam called the police control room and warned, “I will blow up the Mumbai airport by 2 PM today.” The threat triggered immediate security protocols, with bomb detection squads and other security agencies placed on high alert at the airport.

The MIDC police acted swiftly to trace and apprehend the caller. Gautam is currently in custody, and police are investigating the motive behind the call. Initial findings suggest he acted alone.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai police crackdown on drug dealers in Govandi, 6 accused arrested in drug clean campaign, factory exposed

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Mumbai: Mumbai Police had launched a special campaign through the Drug-Free Govandi campaign in the Muslim-majority suburb of Mumbai, in line with which the Mumbai Police has arrested five drug peddlers and seized drugs worth over Rs 18 crore so far, as well as busting a drug factory. This claim was made by Mumbai Police Additional Commissioner Mahesh Patil in a press conference here today. He said that on March 19, RCF police arrested a drug peddler during a patrol and seized 45 grams of MD from his possession and he was arrested under the NDPS Act. During the investigation of this case, the team has succeeded in arresting five drug peddlers. These arrests have been made from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Along with this, 3 kg of MD has been recovered from the possession of the accused. During the investigation of the accused, it was revealed that there is a drug workshop in Karjat-Raigarh, Mumbai and drugs are manufactured here. During the raid, the police have seized more than 5 kg of MD and equipment used to manufacture drugs. So far, 6 accused have been arrested in the case of drug peddlers and drugs worth crores of rupees have also been seized. This operation was carried out by Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Police Commissioner (Administration) Satyanarayan Chaudhary and Govandi has been declared drug-free. This campaign was carried out through the campaign. DCP Navnath Dhole and Additional Commissioner Mahesh Patil have also intensified the anti-drug operation in the city for a drug-free Govandi.

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