India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) has called representatives from Google and Meta to appear at its Delhi headquarters on July 21, 2025, as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering tied to illegal betting apps. The probe centers on the role of these tech giants in promoting such apps through advertisements, which authorities claim facilitate their reach to a wider audience.
The ED’s action follows recent raids in Mumbai, where unaccounted cash worth ₹3.3 crore, luxury watches, jewelry, foreign currency, and high-end vehicles were seized in connection with a broader case involving “dabba trading” and online betting platforms. The investigation targets apps like VMoney, VM Trading, Standard Trades Ltd, IBull Capital Ltd, LotusBook, 11Starss, and GameBetLeague, which are suspected of operating through white-label platforms and profit-sharing arrangements.
Official sources indicate that the ED is examining potential violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency alleges that hawala operators, including individuals like Mayur Padya, facilitated cash-based fund transfers for these betting operations. Additionally, the probe has identified key figures such as Vishal Agnihotri, linked to VMoney and 11Starss, who reportedly acquired admin rights to the LotusBook platform under a profit-sharing model.
Posts on X reflect public interest in the case, with some users noting the ED’s recent actions against high-profile celebrities for allegedly promoting similar illegal betting platforms, highlighting the scale of the crackdown. The investigation underscores India’s ongoing efforts to regulate online gambling, with the government having blocked over 1,200 such websites and apps between 2022 and 2024.
This probe signals a broader push to hold digital platforms accountable for their role in enabling illegal financial activities, raising questions about the responsibilities of tech companies in monitoring content on their platforms.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 19th, 2025
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