ED Seizes Luxury Cars, Cash in IPL Betting Bust

Enforcement Directorate teams executed overnight searches at multiple premises linked to a sophisticated illegal cricket betting operation spanning Guwahati, Tinsukia, and New Delhi. Acting on FIRs registered by local police under gambling and criminal laws, investigators uncovered a hierarchical structure where bets on IPL matches were solicited and settled using mobile applications and foreign-based platforms. The syndicate reportedly collected stakes both in cash and through digital transfers before channeling the proceeds through layered accounts held by relatives and close associates. Searches at residential properties and a commercial establishment yielded incriminating digital evidence, including chat logs and financial trails connecting various operatives. Authorities recovered thirteen lakh rupees in cash and impounded three high-end vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz, an MG Hector, and a Toyota Fortuner, suspected to be acquired from betting profits. Several bank accounts involved in the laundering process were immediately frozen. Officials emphasized that the probe is ongoing and additional leads are being examined to determine the full financial footprint of the racket. The operation underscores the agency’s focus on dismantling networks that exploit major sporting events for illicit gains while evading regulatory oversight.