The Telangana CID's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has successfully dismantled an illegal online betting network associated with the Dafabet platform, arresting 11 individuals, including an Afghan national, from Delhi, Gujarat, and Punjab. The arrests followed a thorough investigation into a complaint filed by a software engineer from Karimnagar, who allegedly lost ₹9.95 lakh through online betting between January 2024 and January 2025.
Investigation and Arrests
According to CID Director General Charu Sinha, the complainant, Challa Sai Krishna Reddy, was enticed into betting on cricket, casino games, and the Aviator platform through promotional campaigns by Dafabet. The SIT registered a case at Karimnagar-II Town police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Information Technology Act, and Telangana Gaming Act.
Investigators traced the complainant’s money through 46 mule bank accounts operating across eight layers of transactions. Analysis of bank records, mobile numbers, email IDs, social media accounts, and WhatsApp groups allegedly revealed a coordinated multi-state network involved in collecting and routing betting proceeds.
Modus Operandi
The accused allegedly attracted users with promises of easy money, bonuses, and high returns. Funds were collected through UPI payments, QR codes, internet banking, and multiple bank accounts controlled by the network. Police said initial payouts were made to users to build confidence and encourage higher wagers.
To track the suspects, six special teams led by DSP-rank officers were deployed to Delhi, Gujarat, and Punjab. After two weeks of surveillance and field operations, the teams arrested 11 accused on Friday. Transit warrants were obtained, and the accused were being brought to Hyderabad for further legal proceedings.
Roles of the Accused
According to the CID, Manish Singh and Abhishek Singh of Gujarat allegedly acted as organizers receiving funds from the betting application. Three accused from Delhi were allegedly involved in arranging mule bank accounts on commission. Two accused from Punjab allegedly created fake firms to receive betting proceeds, while four others from Gujarat allegedly provided technical support to the operation.
Seized Items
During the raids, police seized three luxury vehicles, including a BMW and a Mercedes, eight laptops, two iPads, 26 mobile phones, five passports, and ₹3.21 lakh in cash.
Wider Network
The investigation also found links to betting-related offenses in several states. Data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal showed 225 complaints and 73 criminal cases registered against the accused in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
Ongoing Efforts
The CID said Telangana police have so far registered 414 cases related to illegal online betting, identified and blocked 108 betting applications, geo-fenced 37 applications in coordination with internet service providers, and counseled 25 celebrities and social media influencers against promoting betting platforms. Authorities urged citizens to report illegal online betting activities through the cybercrime Helpline 1930 or the nearest police station.
