The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday stated that it recently carried out search operations at various locations in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh, Udaipur, and Salumber districts in connection with the ‘Joganiya Online Betting App’ case.
The ED initiated a PMLA investigation based on multiple FIRs registered by Rajasthan Police under various sections of the IPC and the Information Technology Act against Balmukund Inani and his associates.
The FIRs allege that Balmukund Inani and his associates were operating illegal online gambling and betting activities under the name “Joganiya Online Book/App.” They used web-based portals to facilitate illegal betting on cricket, football, casino games, and other chance-based activities.
“Balmukund Inani and his associates allegedly collected money from players in cash or through online payments. They lured daily wage labourers and salaried youth to enroll on the platform with the promise of winning huge sums by playing chance-based games,” an official said.
The ED stated that Inani and his associates have cheated innocent and gullible players to the tune of hundreds of crores of rupees.
During the extensive search operations, the ED learned that Inani operated “Joganiya Online Book” using hundreds of mule bank accounts procured through middlemen for a commission. The operation lacked an organized payment system, with funds from players being received into these mule accounts and in cash.
“The controllers would send details of these mule bank accounts to players via mobile phone to receive payments. These accounts were used to layer and integrate illegal proceeds into the financial system. The ‘Joganiya Online Book’ is mainly operated in and around Chittorgarh District and other areas through branch IDs and Master IDs/Network Agents,” the official added.
Evidence gathered during the searches indicates that Balmukund Inani, now based in Dubai, has channeled the proceeds of crime to Dubai through hawala channels for investment in real estate and the acquisition of immovable properties. Details of several properties acquired by Inani in his own name, as well as in the names of family members and close associates, were uncovered during the searches.
“The search operations resulted in the seizure of cash amounting to Rs. 13 lakh and one high-end vehicle (Jaguar F-Pace). Additionally, Rs. 47.66 lakh in various bank accounts and Rs. 12.80 lakh in one DEMAT account were frozen under Section 17(1) of the PMLA, 2002. Several documents related to immovable and movable properties, substantial incriminating evidence including details of hundreds of mule accounts, and multiple mobile phones were also seized and are under examination,” the official stated.
Further investigation is ongoing.