Press Release
31/01/2025
Directorate of Enforcement ( ED), Indore has issued a Provisional Attachment
Order (PAO) on 30.01.2025 under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act
(PMLA), 2002 attaching properties worth more than Rs. 1 Crore (approx.) in connection with
the case of Illegal Online Betting Satta Matka. The said properties belong to one Manoj
Malviya, who was actively involved in running online betting operations in connivance with
Lokesh Verma and Nikhil Halabhavi alias Ajay Ratan Rajput.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by Madhya Pradesh
Police in relation to illegal online betting case.
ED investigation revealed that illegal Online Betting apps such as Dhangames and
other Satta Matka Apps were being operated in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and other parts
of the country to lure unsuspecting masses. The App allowed users to register via mobile
number and transfer money to Dhangames wallet via UPI and indulge into betting. Illegal
money generated through t hese Satta Matka apps were laundered through web of bogus
bank accounts opened by Lokesh Verma and Manoj Malviya in the names of dummy persons
by misusing their KYC documents to run the betting operations. The proceeds of crime
generated from betting operations in the benami bank accounts were laundered and utilized
for buying properties.
Earlier in this case, one PAO to the tune of Rs. 8.89 Crore was issued and Rs. 46
lakh were also seized during the course of searches conducted under PMLA, 2002.
Further investigation is under progress.