CID nabs 11 in interstate Dafa Bet betting racket, warns celebrities against promotions

Hyderabad: Telangana CID has cracked a major Dafa Bet betting racket, arrested 11 accused and uncovered links to an interstate online betting network.

CID chief Charu Sinha said the agency completed an extensive investigation into online betting cases transferred to it under the supervision of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

She said the probe exposed a large betting operation that extended across several states. The CID also identified the role of promoters who advertised betting platforms through digital channels.

Dafa Bet betting racket probe uncovers interstate network

The investigation focused on the Dafa Bet online betting case registered in Karimnagar.

A special team comprising 40 officers conducted a 15-day operation across multiple states. During the operation, the CID arrested 11 accused from Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab.

Investigators found that the operators allegedly earned between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 10 lakh a day through the betting platform.

The agency also froze 46 mule bank accounts allegedly used for transactions linked to the racket.

According to CID officials, the Dafa Bet platform generated 225 complaints from eight states. Authorities registered 73 criminal cases based on those complaints.

Meanwhile, the CID has registered 414 online betting cases across Telangana.

During the investigation, officials identified 108 online betting applications. The agency has sent proposals to the Union government seeking a ban on those platforms.

The CID also summoned 25 celebrities and social media influencers who promoted betting applications.

Officials counselled them and warned that promoting illegal betting platforms amounts to an offence.

Charu Sinha said the agency had given the promoters an opportunity to correct their conduct. However, she warned that the CID would initiate strict legal action if they continued to endorse betting applications.