TLDR
- Police in Visakhapatnam arrested 24 people connected to an online betting scam that processed over ₹500 crore (US$52 million) in transactions
- The operation spanned seven Indian states and had links to Sri Lanka, using at least seven betting websites
- Alleged kingpin Karan Pakhrani, known as “Gabbar,” was arrested in Kolkata along with six associates
- Around 224 mule bank accounts were used to route betting proceeds through layers of UPI and bank transfers
- Total money linked to illegal gains and public losses from the case reached approximately ₹1,500 crore (US$156 million)
Police in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, have arrested 24 individuals tied to a large-scale online betting operation. The scam processed more than ₹500 crore, roughly US$52 million, in transactions according to authorities.
The Visakhapatnam Cybercrime Police led the operation. They said the total amount linked to illegal gains and losses sustained by the public stood at around ₹1,500 crore, or US$156 million.
The betting syndicate was not limited to one city or state. Police said the network operated across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and had connections to Sri Lanka.
At least seven websites were used to run the online betting scheme. The operation relied on call centre coordination, sub-bookies, and digital operators working together in a structured system.
Multi-State Betting Network Used Digital Channels to Move Funds
Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shankha Brata Bagchi said the group functioned through an organised setup rather than isolated individuals. The structure allowed betting activity to spread across multiple locations while digital systems handled the money.
The alleged kingpin of the operation, Karan Pakhrani, also known as “Gabbar,” was arrested in Kolkata. Six associates were taken into custody alongside him.
Investigators said Pakhrani oversaw platform management and played a central role in running the operation. His arrest in Kolkata came as part of a broader effort by Visakhapatnam police to dismantle the network.
During the raids, police recovered mobile phones, bank passbooks, laptops, and currency counting machines. These items are expected to be used as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
The case first came to light after complaints about the misuse of bank accounts linked to online gaming activity. That complaint trail helped investigators uncover the wider betting network.
224 Mule Accounts Used to Conceal Money Trail
One of the key elements of the operation was the use of mule bank accounts. Police said around 224 such accounts were used to route betting proceeds through multiple layers of UPI and bank transfers.
The process was designed to hide where the money came from. Authorities said it made tracing the funds back to the betting operation far more difficult.
The investigation is now focused on understanding the full financial chain. Police are working to identify other beneficiaries and the broader network of sub-bookies involved.
The case remains open as investigators continue searching for additional people connected to the operation. Police have indicated that more arrests could follow as the probe moves forward.
The use of over 200 mule accounts and a network spanning multiple states means investigators are still piecing together the full scope of the syndicate. The next phase will focus on the financial trail and the people behind it.
As of May 17, 2026, police said investigations into the finances, additional beneficiaries, and the sub-bookie network are still ongoing.
