ED had summoned several celebrities including former cricketers in money laundering cases revolving around an illegal betting app.The anti-money laundering federal probe agency had also summoned representatives of search engine giant Google and social media platform Facebook in the illegal betting case
Enforcement Directorate has summoned actors Uravashi Rautela and former Member of Parliament Mimi Chakraborty in a money laundering case revolving promotion of illegal betting app.
“Summons have been issued to Mimi Chakrabarty on 15th September ie Monday and Urvashi Rautela on 16th September in illegal betting app 1xbet case. They have been asked to appear at ED HQ in Delhi,” officials told Times Now
On 22nd August, President of India Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to Promotion and Regulation Online Gaming Bill.
Since June the ED had summoned several celebrities including former cricketers in money laundering cases revolving around an illegal betting app.
The anti-money laundering federal probe agency had also summoned representatives of search engine giant Google and social media platform Facebook in the illegal betting case. The agency had said their platforms were being used to promote ads for illegal betting apps and surrogate advertisements.
Sources in the probe agency said the menace of illegal betting has spread across mediums with endorsements by top celebrities.
“Apps like 1xBet, FairPlay, Parimatch, and Lotus365 are heavily promoted by celebrities. 1xBet is promoted by Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Sonu Sood, Suresh Raina, Urvashi Rautela, and several social media influencers despite bans,” said sources.
These apps violate the IT Act, Benami Transactions Act, FEMA, PMLA, and advisories issued by MEITY and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting by using surrogate ads in the name of ‘1xBat’ and ‘1xBat Sporting Lines’. QR codes in the ads direct users to betting platforms.
Illegal betting apps have been violating several Indian laws, including money laundering and tax evasion.
“Dummy accounts were made on the platform by officers, and details of deposit and withdrawal mule accounts being used were identified. The ED has identified several benami accounts so far and action has been taken. However, they use accounts for only a few hours. By the time we identify the VPA handle, get call details from NPCI, and send directions to the bank, the money is already laundered,” said sources.
Other popular betting apps being investigated by the ED are FairPlay, Mahadev Book, and Lotus365.
Sources said illegal betting is a big menace and there are 22 Crore Indian users of various betting apps. 11 Crore are regular users).
Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/ed-summons-urvashi-rautela-and-mimi-chakraborty-article-152799486
