Cyberabad police bust app-based IPL cricket betting racket, 23 bookies held

HYDERABAD: The Cyberabad police here on Tuesday busted an app-based cricket betting racket with the arrest of 23 bookies.

Addressing a press conference here, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Stephen Raveendra said the cricket betting racket was taking place in four layers. The first layer consists of the main bookie while the second layer a sub-bookie and the third layer only a bookie. The fourth layer includes punters.

Each layer was specific in terms of turn on stakes and commission to bookie depends on the price of the line he can lease out to. The main bookie Maha, a native of Vijayawada of Andhra Pradesh, is organizing the online cricket betting, and he was the key person to the online cricket betting in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Presently, Maha is absconding.

The other accused Suresh, Chintha Venu and Godavarthi Venkatesh had taken main line access to Maha. Further, the accused selected these persons to operate the communicator board and laptop which were connected through the main line and they also have access to numerous sub bookies in Hyderabad through online for commission.

The odds and ratings of the gamblers and punters can be seen from time to time in the online betting apps - “Fancy Life Entertainment App, Live Line Guru, Cricket Mazza, Lotus, Bet-365 and BetFair, among others”, provided by the agents.

The illegal cash payment transactions of cricket betting was carried out online, and also in cash when it was large amount. Such was the network that the bookies trapped many youngsters in the city and most of them got addicted to playing high stakes thereby losing large sums of hard-earned money.

The police seized net cash of Rs. 93,00,052 ; 14 betting boards, eight laptops, 247 mobile phones, 28 smartphones, four each tabs and TVs, two routers, a printer and five cars from the possession of the arrested persons.

Advisory

1. Due to digitalization and desire to make a quick buck, some people have been lured to cricket betting. This is a vicious cycle which leads to constant addiction to betting money. Ultimately, the bookie only makes money while punters lose money.

2. Be vigilant about the following mobile apps: Bet 365, MPL, Betway, Dream Guru, My 11 Circle, Bet 365, Coral, Bwin, 777 Bet, Dafabet, Winner, Cricket Betting 2020, Just Bet, Betfred and Lotus Cricket Line.

3. There is scope for cyber theft of data of bank accounts and personal data, which may result in unauthorized money transfer and blackmailing using personal photos, data etc.

4. It is learnt that due to loss of money in betting and to repay the bookies, the victims are taking hand loans, selling of property etc.,

5. Information about betting and other related information may be shared to Cyberabad Police WhatsApp number: 9490617444.