The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at several locations as part of its probe regarding Fairplay app which was allegedly indulged in illegal broadcasting of cricket matches, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and various online betting activities, such as those related to the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
As per reports, the agency, currently investigating the Mahadev Online Book app, is now extending its probe to include offshore online applications. The aim is to identify the promoters and ultimate beneficiaries behind these applications.
As part of the searches that began on Wednesday, authorities targeted the premises of event management companies that endorsed the app, as well as the shell companies allegedly used to route the proceeds of crime abroad.
The reports also stated that during the search operations, authorities seized/froze movable assets valued at approximately ₹8 crore. These assets included cash, bank funds, demat account holdings, and luxury watches. Additionally, various incriminating documents and digital devices were also confiscated.
The ED probe revealed that Fairplay entered into agreements via foreign entities in Dubai and Curacao with Indian event management companies representing celebrities.
