A major online IPL betting racket linked to hawala transactions and international betting networks has been busted by Chhattisgarh Police after a raid in Goa led to the arrest of six accused allegedly operating illegal cricket betting operations. Investigators revealed that the accused were using an application capable of providing live cricket match updates nearly seven seconds before public television broadcasts, helping them manipulate betting rates and gain an advantage during IPL matches.

The operation was carried out by Raigarh Police in connection with an online cricket betting case registered under the Kotwali police station limits. Officials said the accused were operating from a rented villa near Candolim Beach in Goa, where they managed betting IDs, coordinated transactions and handled real-time IPL betting activities connected to several cities across central India.

According to police officials, the arrested accused have been identified as Amit Mittal, Mohit Somani, Prakash Wadhwani, Akash Motwani, Rahul Khandelwal alias Babu and Sulabh Khandelwal alias Chhota Babu. Investigators said all six accused were actively engaged in online cricket betting and were linked to a larger betting syndicate associated with a network allegedly operated by a figure identified as “Mannu Nathani,” who is believed to be connected to a wider illegal betting operation in central India.

Police sources stated that the accused received betting IDs from Dubai-based operators and distributed them to local agents and players across multiple cities. The betting network reportedly functioned in a layered structure where larger handlers supplied IDs to smaller operators and agents in exchange for commissions on transactions and betting activities.

Officials revealed that the accused used a specialised live-update application that delivered match developments approximately seven seconds earlier than regular television or online streaming broadcasts. This time advantage allowed the syndicate to update betting rates instantly during IPL matches and profit from rapid changes in odds before regular users could react. Investigators believe the technology gave operators a significant edge over ordinary bettors and generated large-scale profits during ongoing IPL matches.

The investigation reportedly began after earlier arrests in an online cricket betting case involving accused Karan Chaudhary alias Karan Agrawal, Pushkar Agrawal and Sunil Agrawal. During questioning, police received important leads regarding a wider hawala network and connections to major betting syndicates operating across multiple states. Following these disclosures, cyber cell officials and Kotwali police initiated a technical investigation that eventually traced digital activity from Raigarh, Raipur, Sakti and Kharsia to Goa.

Acting on the inputs, police teams conducted raids at the rented villa in the Candolim Beach area. Officials claimed the accused attempted to destroy mobile phones and important documents after receiving information about the police action. However, police teams managed to seize 10 mobile phones and several digital records during the operation. Authorities are now examining electronic evidence to identify additional operators, financial links and betting transactions associated with the network.

Investigators said preliminary examination of seized devices revealed evidence of hawala transactions used for transferring large sums linked to betting operations. Police sources stated that serial numbers of currency notes and coded financial details were allegedly shared through mobile applications as part of the illegal money transfer mechanism. Earlier during the investigation, authorities had also seized more than Rs 1 crore in cash from persons linked to the betting network.

Police officials further stated that several of the accused already have criminal cases related to online betting registered against them in different districts. Amit Mittal reportedly faces cases connected to cricket betting in Raigarh, Kharsia and Gharghoda, while Mohit Somani is said to have multiple betting-related cases registered in Raipur. Authorities believe the remaining accused were also actively associated with illegal betting operations for a considerable period.

The investigation has also pointed toward similarities with the controversial Mahadev betting app network, where betting IDs allegedly originated from Dubai-based handlers before being routed to operators in Indian metropolitan cities. From there, agents reportedly distributed the IDs to smaller betting operators and players across cities including Nagpur, Raipur and other parts of central India.

Officials said the latest arrests have exposed another layer of organised online betting operations that combine digital platforms, offshore operators and hawala networks. Police are now examining whether additional financial channels, shell operators or interstate syndicates are connected to the racket. Authorities are also investigating the scale of online transactions conducted through the betting network during the ongoing IPL season.

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Raipur Hawala Scam: Conman Flees with Rs 35 Lakh Using Half-Note Trick

Mumbai-based plywood employee tricked in cash handover at Telibandha; police launch probe as IT department flags unaccounted funds in daily Rs 30 crore racketHalf-Note Trick Deployed.

Raipur police have registered a case after a Mumbai resident was duped of Rs 35 lakh in a classic half-note fraud linked to

hawala operations. The incident occurred on April 11 in the Telibandha area when the victim, Karan Sharma, a plywood factory employee, was sent to handle a cash transaction.

Employee Sent from Mumbai

Karan Sharma, who works for businessman Kanak Ram, reached Raipur on instructions to collect Rs 35 lakh from one trader and hand it over to another. The money was part of an informal hawala transfer, officials said.

First Handover Completed

At the designated spot, the first contact showed half a currency note. After serial number verification, Sharma received the cash without suspicion. His employer then asked him to wait and prepare for the second delivery.

Second Deal Turns Fraud

Soon after, Sharma received another number and half-note details. He was directed to the Shriram Temple near VIP Tiraha. The second man produced a matching half-note. Trusting the verification, Sharma handed over the entire Rs 35 lakh in cash.

Photo Exposes the Scam

When Sharma clicked a photo of the half-note and sent it to his employer, the mismatch was spotted. The serial number did not tally with the first note. Realising he had been cheated, Sharma immediately reported the matter.

Police Registers FIR

The victim lodged a complaint at Telibandha police station. Officers have initiated a case and are examining CCTV footage from the area. Mobile numbers used to contact Sharma are also being traced to identify the accused.

IT Department Joins Probe

Following the hawala angle, police informed the Income Tax department. Officials have begun verifying the source of the funds and have sought transaction details from the employer. A year ago, Raipur police had seized similar unaccounted cash in a separate operation.

Raipur’s Rs 30 Crore Daily Racket

Local sources familiar with the trade say Raipur sees nearly Rs 30 crore in daily hawala business. Most funds move to Mumbai and Jharkhand, with commissions of Rs 1,500–2,000 per Rs 1 lakh packet. Operators also claim routes to Dubai, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Earlier Enforcement Directorate probes, including the Mahadev betting case, had flagged Raipur and Durg as key nodes in such networks where cash reached officials and politicians through couriers.

The latest incident has once again drawn attention to the scale of informal money transfers in the state capital. Police are treating it as a targeted fraud within the hawala circuit, while the IT department’s parallel inquiry focuses on tax evasion and fund origins.

Investigators believe the conman had precise details of the transaction, suggesting possible insider knowledge. Searches for the accused are underway. Further updates are expected as both agencies share findings.