Online gambling racket busted in south Delhi, four arrested

Cops are now trying to find out whether the master account on the gaming website was created using an Indian identity or otherwise and whether the linked bank details are Indian or off-shore.

Police on Friday busted an illegal online casino at Kotla Mubarakpur in south Delhi and arrested four persons in this connection. Sleuths suspect the racket could be linked to money laundering.

Earlier last year, an illegal casino was busted in Delhi's Neb Sarai. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

The alleged mastermind of the racket, a woman named Neetu, is absconding. Police seized cash Rs 35,800, seven CPUs, a laptop and a landline telephone set among other items.

Even though online gambling is illegal in India, the market is estimated to be a few thousand crore rupees. Only Sikkim has laid down regulations for controlled and monitored online gambling, police said.

“Four persons Deepak Chandra, Raj Kumar, Arif Khan and Prakash have been arrested. Deepak used to operate the gambling den and handle all the cash and maintain transaction details. We are now searching for Neetu” said a senior police official.

Police said for the past few days, information was pouring in about an online gambling racket operating from Kotla Mubarakpur area.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Neetu was linked to an organised online casino syndicate. She had provided Deepak with login ID and password of an online account created on the website. The website had links to another gaming portal. Deepak used to handle the daily transaction and report to the kingpin Neetu

“The most popular gamble was on the game of Roulette where the winner was assured a return which was 18 times the bet money,” said a police officer.

Cops are now trying to find out whether the master account on the gaming website was created using an Indian identity or otherwise and whether the linked bank details are Indian or off-shore.

“Raids are being conducted and further investigation is going on,” said the officer.