TLDR Police in Visakhapatnam arrested 24 people connected to an online betting scam that processed over ₹500 crore (US$52 million) in transactions The operation spanned seven Indian states and had links to Sri Lanka, using at least seven betting websites Alleged kingpin Karan Pakhrani, known as “Gabbar,” was arrested in Kolkata along with six associates Around 224 mule bank accounts were used to route betting proceeds through layers of UPI and bank transfers Total money linked to illegal gains and public losses from the case reached approximately ₹1,500 crore (US$156 million)
Police in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, have arrested 24 individuals tied to a large-scale online betting operation. The scam processed more than ₹500 crore, roughly US$52 million, in transactions according to authorities.
The Visakhapatnam Cybercrime Police led the operation. They said the total amount linked to illegal gains and losses sustained by the public stood at around ₹1,500 crore, or US$156 million.
The betting syndicate was not limited to one city or state. Police said the network operated across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and had connections to Sri Lanka.
At least seven websites were used to run the online betting scheme. The operation relied on call centre coordination, sub-bookies, and digital operators working together in a structured system.
Multi-State Betting Network Used Digital Channels to Move Funds
Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shankha Brata Bagchi said the group functioned through an organised setup rather than isolated individuals. The structure allowed betting activity to spread across multiple locations while digital systems handled the money.
The alleged kingpin of the operation, Karan Pakhrani, also known as “Gabbar,” was arrested in Kolkata. Six associates were taken into custody alongside him.
Investigators said Pakhrani oversaw platform management and played a central role in running the operation. His arrest