Money Laundering Probe on Celebrities Over Betting Links

Hyderabad, Jul 10 (PTI) - The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering probe involving over two dozen celebrities, including actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, and Prakash Raj. The investigation is focused on their alleged involvement with online betting platforms in Telangana, according to official sources on Thursday.

The involved platforms are believed to have illicitly generated funds worth crores of rupees through activities related to illegal betting and gambling.

The federal agency is proceeding under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after referencing five FIRs from state police records.

A total of about 29 celebrities, comprising actors like Deverakonda, Daggubati, Manchu Lakshmi, and Prakash Raj, as well as individuals such as Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, Ananya Nagalla, and TV host Srimukhi, have been implicated. Additionally, local social media influencers and YouTubers are also named in the case.

These celebrities allegedly endorsed online betting apps such as Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, and Lotus365 in exchange for endorsement fees.

Some of the implicated figures have previously claimed ignorance about the precise operations of these betting apps and maintained that they never intended to engage in or promote illegal activities.

The ED is in the process of gathering statements from these celebrities and is actively seeking additional FIRs and other complainants who may have been deceived by these platforms.

The ongoing investigation aims to determine the total "proceeds of crime" amassed by the apps and to clarify the celebrities' specific involvement. Their culpability will be ascertained after their statements are recorded, the sources stated.

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