The Enforcement Directorate has issued notices to tech giants Google and Meta as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering connected to illegal betting applications.
Both companies have been asked to send representatives to appear before the ED’s Delhi office on July 21.
Probing The Role Of Digital Platforms
Sources revealed that Google and Meta’s platforms have been used to promote betting apps via advertisements, helping these apps reach a wide user base. The ED is currently examining how these digital giants might be facilitating the spread of illegal betting through their services, which could violate the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
This development follows a major raid by the ED in Mumbai, where four locations linked to dabba trading and online betting were searched. The agency seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 3.3 crore, along with luxury watches, jewellery, foreign currency, luxury vehicles, and cash-counting machines.
Focus On Dabba Trading & Online Betting Apps
The ED’s investigation is centered on various “dabba trading apps” accused of running illegal trading and betting platforms. Key apps under scrutiny include VMoney, VM Trading, Standard Trades Ltd, IBull Capital Ltd, LotusBook, 11Starss, and GameBetLeague.
Officials explained that these platforms operate through “white-label apps” with administrative (ADMIN) rights exchanged based on profit-sharing arrangements. They are also examining hawala operators and fund handlers involved in moving money for these operations, with detailed digital and financial records being scrutinized.
Details
The probe was launched following an FIR registered in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on January 9, 2025, under sections related to cheating and fraud.
Investigations uncovered that Vishal Agnihotri, who owns VMoney and 11Starss, secured ADMIN rights to the LotusBook betting platform under a 5% profit-sharing deal. He later transferred these rights to Dhaval Devraj Jain but retained a small share of 0.125%, while Jain held 4.875%.
Dhaval Jain, along with an associate named John States alias Pandey, reportedly developed a white-label betting platform and provided it to Vishal Agnihotri to operate 11Starss.in.
Additionally, a hawala operator named Mayur Padya, also known as Padya, has been identified as responsible for handling cash transfers and payments related to the betting businesses.
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