Hyderabad: Seven bookies arrested in interstate online IPL cricket betting; Rs 1.84 Cr seized
Due to digitalization and lure to make quick buck, some people have been lured to cricket betting, this is a vicious cycle which leads constant addiction of betting money
By Newsmeter Network Published on 10 May 2023 10:42 AM GMT
Hyderabad: In a major crackdown, the Special Operations Team (SOT) of Cyberabad police has busted three interstate online IPL cricket betting rackets and arrested seven bookies.
In total of three cases, the police seized nearly Rs 1.84 crores in cash and bank accounts, 36 mobile phones, 3 laptops, 1 tablet, and 1 Jio router.
The bookies were booked under the relevant sections of the Telangana Gaming Act.
Addressing the meidia, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Stephen Ravindra said, the first case involved sub-bookie Podapati Narsing Rao, who was caught by the SOT Shamshabad and RGIA PS team. Rao's main bookies, Ganapathi Reddy from Bangalore and Srinivas Raju from East Godavari, are absconding. They provided access to Rao through various apps such as Vajra777.com, Metro Exchange, and Varma777 App, among others. Rao then provided access to punters from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka states.
The exchange of money was done through various apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm. The police seized a net cash of Rs. 60,00,000/-, Rs. 32,00,000/- frozen in bank accounts, and two mobile phones. The total value of the seized property is Rs. 92,00,000.
The second case involved main bookie Vegesina Ravi Raju and sub-bookie Bhupatiraju Prasad Raju, who were caught organizing online cricket betting through Radhe Exchange and Cricket Live Guru apps in Bandlaguda Jagir of Rajendranagar area. They were involved in betting in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The police seized a net cash of Rs. 71,50,000/-, frozen Rs. 7,37,000/- in bank accounts, 17 mobile phones, and 2 laptops. The total value of the seized property is Rs. 81,00,000.
In the third case, sub-bookie K. Vinod Kumar was caught along with another absconding sub-bookie Srikanth Reddy. They took access to online cricket betting apps such as National Exchange9 and Topaz777.com from main bookie Lingam, who is also absconding.
The punters bet money on the outcome of the match, and all transactions were done online through various apps such as PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm. The police seized a net cash of Rs. 7,52,000/-, 17 mobile phones, 1 tablet, 1 Jio router, and 1 laptop. The total value of the seized property is Rs. 11,00,000.
Stephen Ravindra advised people to be vigilant about mobile apps and warned them about the risk of cyber theft of data from bank accounts.
Police issue advisory
Due to digitalization and lure to make quick buck, some people have been lured to cricket betting, this is a vicious cycle which leads constant addiction of betting money. Ultimately the bookie only makes money while punters lose money.
Be vigilant about the following mobile apps: Radhe exchange, Cricket live Guru, Bet 365, MPL, Betway, Drearn Guru, my 11 Circle, bet 365, Coral, Bwin, 777 Bet, Dafabet, Winner, Cricket Betting 2020, Just Bet, Betfred, Lotus Cricket Line.
There is scope for Cyber theft of data from bank a/c's and other personal data, which may result in unauthorized money transfer and blackmailing using personal photos, data etc.
It is learnt that due to loss of money in betting and to repay the bookies, the victims are taking hand loans, selling of property etc.,
Information about Betting and other related information may be shared to Cyberabad Police WhatsApp No. 9490617444.
