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Several high-profile celebrities have been booked by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for their alleged involvement in the betting app scam case.
ED has summoned Google and Meta over the online betting apps case. (Representational image)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday issued notices to tech companies Google and Meta in connection with its investigation into online betting app cases and summoned them for questioning on July 21, marking a significant expansion in the probe.
The notices are part of an investigation related to online betting apps. At least 29 high-profile celebrities and influencers have already been charged for promoting allegedly illegal betting platforms.
The ED has levelled serious allegations against Google and Meta, claiming the tech giants played an active role in promoting betting apps that are now being probed for major financial offences such as money laundering and illegal hawala operations.
According to India Today, authorities have alleged that the tech giants offered prominent advertising slots to these companies and allowed their websites to gain visibility on their respective platforms, proving their involvement in the widespread reach of the illegal apps.
This significant step follows a string of ED actions in recent weeks to investigate a vast network of online betting apps, many of whom are suspected to be illegal gambling platforms in the garb of skill-based platforms. These apps are believed to have generated crores of rupees through hawala channels to avoid detection.
ALSO READ: ED Raids In Mumbai: What Is Dabba Trading? How ‘Black Market Version Of Dalal Street’ Operates?
Celebrities Booked For Promoting Betting Apps
Meanwhile, Vijay Deverakonda and Rana Daggubati are among 29 celebrities booked by the ED for their alleged involvement in a betting app scam case, according to officials. Among other personalities against whom the case was registered were Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagalla, and Srimukhi.
The police had registered a case in Telangana against several celebrities, including popular actors and YouTubers, for allegedly endorsing illegal betting apps. The FIR was lodged based on a complaint by businessman Phanindra Sarma.
According to the complainant, these betting apps handle large sums of money on their platforms, which results in massive financial losses to individuals, especially from middle and lower-class families.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at four locations across Mumbai in connection with a major ‘dabba trading’ and online betting case. According to ED sources, it has already seized Rs 3.3 crore in cash, foreign currency, cash counting machines, jewellery, imported cars, including a Mercedes, and a box full of luxury watches.
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
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