The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a probe into a multi-crore betting app scam, with actors Vijay Deverakonda and Prakash Raj under scrutiny for alleged brand endorsement and promotional involvement. Cyberabad Police has also filed an FIR in the case.
Image source:- The420
ED Investigates Celebrities in Massive Online Betting Scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently probing the role of several high-profile individuals, including actors Vijay Deverakonda and Prakash Raj, in a massive ₹1100 crore online betting scam. According to reports from The420.in, the actors are alleged to have endorsed or promoted the now-banned “Mahadev”-like betting platforms, which lured users with fake gambling opportunities.
The Cyberabad Police have registered a formal FIR under various sections of the IPC and Information Technology Act, and ED has stepped in to trace the money trail and financial irregularities.
Celebrity Endorsements Under the Scanner
Reports suggest that several well-known actors and influencers were paid to promote the scam betting apps, which have reportedly duped thousands of users across India. The apps operated under the pretense of offering online gaming and betting services, but allegedly laundered money through a complex network of shell companies.
While Deverakonda and Raj have not been declared guilty, they are expected to be questioned regarding financial transactions, promotional content, and brand association agreements related to the platforms.
How the Betting Scam Unfolded
The scam operated through unauthorized gambling apps hosted outside India, cleverly masked as entertainment platforms. These platforms allegedly collected crores in digital payments and redirected funds through hawala channels and untraceable wallets, according to ED officials.
The FIR by Cyberabad Police outlines a coordinated cybercrime syndicate that ran ads via celebrities, making the platform appear legitimate to unsuspecting users.
ED’s Financial Crime Investigation Widens
The ED is now focused on tracking down the end beneficiaries, along with scrutinizing celebrity contracts, payment trails, and digital asset movement. Officials are likely to summon more public figures in connection with the case, depending on the evidence gathered.
Experts suggest that the case could reshape how celebrities engage in digital endorsements, especially those involving fintech, gaming, or cryptocurrency.
