NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached the movable and immovable properties of cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, actor Sonu Sood and others. The official confirmed that the total value of seized assets is Rs 7.93 million in a case linked to the illegal offshore betting platform 1xBet.ED had attached properties worth Rs 11.14 crore belonging to cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina earlier on October 6.
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According to the ED statement, others against whom action has been taken include actresses Urvashi Rautela and Mimi Chakraborty, actor Ankush Hazra and actress Neha Sharma. The connection was made under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, an official statement said.The ED has launched an investigation based on several FIRs registered by various state police agencies against the operators of the illegal offshore betting platform 1xBet.The investigation found that 1xBet and its surrogate brands 1xBat and 1xbat Sporting were involved in promoting and facilitating illegal online betting and gambling activities across India.An ED investigation revealed that celebrities knowingly entered into endorsement deals with foreign entities to promote 1xBet through its surrogate brands, the statement said.She added that these endorsements were made in exchange for payments routed through foreign entities to hide the illegal source of funds that were linked to the proceeds of crime from betting activities.The ED also found that 1xBet was operating in India without authorization and was using surrogate branding and advertisements on social media, online videos and print media to target Indian users.The ED said the endorsement payments were arranged through layered transactions using foreign intermediaries to conceal the illegal origin of the funds.The agency warned that illegal betting and gambling platforms cause economic damage and are often used for money laundering and other illegal activities.The public has been advised to stay away from such platforms and report suspicious transactions or advertisements to law enforcement agencies or the ED.The ED has also warned celebrities and social media influencers that endorsing or promoting illegal betting or gambling platforms, even through surrogate promotions, is an offense under the law.
