A major cybercrime network involved in online betting and financial fraud has been uncovered after a detailed investigation by cybercrime police. Authorities arrested 9 individuals from Rewa in Madhya Pradesh for operating an illegal betting platform that was allegedly used to circulate and launder money obtained through cyberfrauds across the country.
According to police officials, the accused were linked to 110 cyberfraud complaints registered across 21 states. Investigators found that nearly ₹19.24 crore had been routed through 391 bank accounts connected to the racket.
The operation came to light during the investigation of a cybercrime case registered in Surat. Police said a railway employee working with Western Railway lost ₹8.12 lakh after fraudsters lured him with the promise of a pension. The callers allegedly posed as officials from the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office and convinced the victim to transfer the money.
During the investigation, cybercrime officials arrested Pranshu Pathak, who had received part of the siphoned funds. During questioning, he disclosed that a gang involved in cyberfraud and online betting was operating from a rented apartment in Rewa.
Based on this information, a police team conducted a raid at the location and arrested 8 more individuals identified as Gulfam Hussain, Abhinav Pandey, Samir Hussain, Dharmaraj Vishwakarma, Aditya Sahani, Aftab Hussain, Taufiq Ali, and Shahnawaz Ali.
Police said the group operated a website named BetBook247com, an online gaming platform where betting IDs were issued to users who could place wagers. Investigators believe that the money obtained through cyberfraud activities was used to settle payments for users who won bets on the platform.
During the raid, authorities seized 27 mobile phones, 3 laptops, 51 debit cards, 13 SIM cards, 23 bank passbooks, 4 account books, and 1 router. Investigators also recovered details of 391 bank accounts connected to the operation.
Officials further revealed that among the 21 states where complaints were registered, the highest number of cases — 16 — were reported in Rajasthan.
Police have now formed special teams to trace the alleged masterminds of the racket, identified as Chetan and Shubham, who are currently absconding.
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