ED Attaches Assets Worth Rs 11 crore Of Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan In Betting-Linked Money-Laundering Case

New Delhi: In a latest update in betting-linked money-laundering case, Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets of Rs 11.14 crore of belonging to former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan. Notably, the case has been filed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Notably, ED has attached assets in connection with the illegal offshore betting operations associated with the platform 1xBet and its surrogate brands 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines.

What officials said in Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan case?

As per the officials, ''Investigation revealed that both Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan knowingly entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities to promote 1xBet through its surrogates. These endorsements were made in return for payments routed through foreign entities to conceal the illicit origin of the funds, which are linked to proceeds of crime generated from illegal betting activities.

''Investigation has further revealed that 1xBet operated in India without authorisation and used surrogate branding and advertisements to target Indian users through social media, online videos, and print media. Payments for endorsements were structured through layered transactions using foreign intermediaries to disguise the illegal source of funds,'' added officials.

Officials further told ANI, ''Investigation has further revealed that 1xBet operated in India without authorisation and used surrogate branding and advertisements to target Indian users through social media, online videos, and print media. Payments for endorsements were structured through layered transactions using foreign intermediaries to disguise the illegal source of funds.''

The officials said, ''The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets valued at Rs 11.14 crore belonging to former Indian Cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The attachment includes mutual fund investments worth Rs 6.64 crore held in the name of Suresh Raina and an immovable property valued at Rs 4.5 crore held in the name of Shikhar Dhawan.''

The officials further told ANI, ''Investigation revealed that both Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan knowingly entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities to promote 1xBet through its surrogates. These endorsements were made in return for payments routed through foreign entities to conceal the illicit origin of the funds, which are linked to proceeds of crime generated from illegal betting activities.''