Crime branch crackdown on IPL betting yields 34 arrests

Panaji: The crime branch of Goa police on Wednesday said that it has arrested 34 persons in two raids carried out at Nagoa and Bambolim to uncover IPL betting rackets. Crime branch SP Rahul Gupta said that six cases have been registered so far in Goa this IPL season for illegal betting rackets.

Gupta said that IPL betting rackets are operating on a massive scale in different parts of Goa, at times, by renting out entire buildings.

“We developed the input we received. We carried out two different raids, one at Nagoa where three floors of a building were rented out; and the second at Bambolim at a villa,” Gupta said.

“We arrested 26 accused at Nagao and eight at Bambolim. In all, 34 persons have been arrested.”

He added that 101 mobile phones, 17 laptops, 95 bank passbooks, 145 ATM cards, 50 SIM cards, and a chequebook are among the items seized.

Goa police have registered a total of six cases of IPL betting this season — two in North district and four by the crime branch — with a total of 44 arrests and seizures of articles worth approximately Rs 45 lakh, Gupta said.

“On April 9, through reliable information from sources, it was learnt that illegal IPL gambling racket is being run at R&A Business Hub, behind Punjab National Bank, Pirni, Nagoa, and Behind Holy Cross, Curca, by using Reddy, Lotus and Lionking 247 BET apps,” Gupta said. “Members of the public were being induced to deposit money in the bank account operated by the accused persons.”

During the raid, it was found that the accused had rented the whole building.

They had been conducting this operation for the past few months and had participated in illegal gambling in important sporting events like ICC Champions Trophy and Indian Premier League, Gupta said.

“These accused individuals hail from different parts of the country and have been brought together recently for this illegal conspiracy,” Gupta said.

“They were also acting as customer support and giving pay-in and pay-out services for the betters and bookies. The accused are involved in a larger network with other agents in India and other countries.”

He added, “Further investigation of the case is under way and has been handed over to PI Prashal Desai and PI Laxi Amonkar, the crime branch police station, in the respective FIRs.”