A coordinated crackdown spanning three States
In a multi-State operation, the Telangana Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested eight alleged operators of online betting networks following simultaneous raids across Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Punjab. The two-day drive targeted app-based platforms that, according to investigators, were used to lure the public into high-risk wagers, causing financial losses to participants. Officials described the push as a first-of-its-kind nationwide enforcement effort led from Telangana, aimed at dismantling a wider syndicate believed to stretch beyond India’s borders.
The apps and alleged modus operandi
CID teams homed in on a cluster of platforms that investigators say were central to the betting operations: - Taj0077 - Fairply.live - Andhra365 - Vlbook - Telugu365 - Yes365
According to preliminary findings, local handlers in India allegedly facilitated user onboarding, payments, and customer support, while key decision-making and platform control may have been managed from abroad. The platforms are suspected of using aggressive promotions and easy credit features to push users into repeated wagers.
Digital forensics at the core
During the raids, officers seized computers and other hardware believed to store operational data. Forensic examination is underway to reconstruct: - Transaction logs and money flow between users, handlers, and upstream organisers - Communications between suspected operators across States and jurisdictions - Server infrastructure, domains, and hosting footprints linked to the apps
Investigators are also mapping digital identities—device IDs, IP addresses, and account linkages—to understand how the network recruited users and managed payouts.
Why Telangana is leading the push
Telangana has maintained one of the country’s stricter stances on wagering. The State has outlawed online betting and cash-based gaming through amendments to its gaming law framework, and state-level enforcement agencies have prioritized cyber-enabled financial offences in recent years. The latest raids underscore Telangana’s willingness to extend investigations beyond its borders when alleged offences affect residents and when digital platforms operate across jurisdictions.
Public impact and risks
Authorities say the alleged platforms resulted in financial harm for multiple users. Typical risks associated with illegal online betting include: - Loss of deposits and winnings due to non-transparent or rigged systems - Exposure to fraud, identity theft, and misuse of personal data - Potential involvement in money laundering channels without users’ knowledge
Because such platforms operate outside regulated financial systems, customers have limited avenues for grievance redressal or recovery of funds.
The money trail and the overseas link
Tracing the flow of money is now central to the investigation. Key lines of inquiry include: - Payment rails used to move funds (including wallets, mule accounts, and informal channels) - Potential layering and obfuscation techniques to move proceeds across borders - Beneficial ownership of the platforms and any ties to organised networks abroad
Early indications suggest that while local operators handled recruitment and day-to-day operations, core platform management and profits may have been routed offshore.
Legal exposure and next steps
With eight arrests made, investigators are expected to pursue charges under relevant gaming and cybercrime statutes, as well as provisions related to cheating, criminal conspiracy, and financial misconduct where applicable. Next steps could include: - Freezing suspect accounts and assets linked to the platforms - Coordinating with central agencies and other State police forces for follow-on raids - Seeking cooperation from international service providers and hosts to secure data
Further arrests are possible as digital forensics pin down roles across the operational chain.
What citizens should know
While legal frameworks around online skill-based gaming have evolved in different jurisdictions, betting and wagering remain prohibited in Telangana. Red flags that commonly indicate a risky platform include: - Anonymous operators with no verifiable corporate identity or address - Incentives promising unrealistic returns or “guaranteed” wins - Requests to transact through informal channels or third-party accounts
Users are advised to verify any platform’s legality in their State and to avoid sharing personal or financial information with unregulated services.
The broader picture: technology and enforcement
The case highlights how digital platforms have transformed traditional betting into scalable, cross-border operations. For law enforcement, it reinforces the need for: - Advanced cyber forensics to follow data and payments across systems - Inter-State and international cooperation to pierce jurisdictional barriers - Public awareness to curb demand and reduce victimization
As the investigation unfolds, the data seized in the raids could shed new light on how these networks operate and how they can be disrupted more effectively.