HYDERABAD: Telangana CID’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has busted an illegal online betting network linked to the Dafabet platform and arrested 11 persons from Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab. The action followed a complaint by Karimnagar-based software engineer Challa Sai Krishna Reddy, who allegedly lost Rs 9.95 lakh after participating in online betting between January 2024 and January 2025.According to CID, the victim was lured through promotional campaigns to place bets on cricket, casino games and the Aviator platform. A case was registered at Karimnagar-II Town police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Information Technology Act and Telangana Gaming Act.Investigators traced the money trail through 46 mule bank accounts operating across eight layers of transactions. Analysis of bank records, mobile numbers, email IDs, social media accounts and WhatsApp groups allegedly exposed a coordinated multi-state network that collected and routed betting proceeds.Police said the accused used promises of easy money, bonuses and high returns to attract users. Funds were collected through UPI, QR codes and multiple bank accounts. Six special teams conducted operations in Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab, leading to the arrest of 11 accused on May 29.The CID seized three luxury vehicles, eight laptops, two iPads, 26 mobile phones, five passports and Rs 3.21 lakh cash. The probe also found links to 225 complaints and 73 criminal cases registered against the accused across several states.
