Two Indian-origin men have been indicted in the United States for allegedly running a sophisticated identity theft and online betting fraud operation that federal prosecutors say generated nearly $3 million (around ₹25 crore) by abusing promotional offers on digital gambling platforms, primarily FanDuel.
A federal grand jury in New Haven, Connecticut, returned a 45-count indictment against Amitoj Kapoor (29) and Siddharth Lillaney (29), both residents of Glastonbury. The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud and identity fraud, multiple counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
According to court filings, the defendants allegedly used stolen personal information belonging to nearly 3,000 victims to open fraudulent betting accounts and exploit “new user” bonuses, credits and promotional wagers. Prosecutors said the scheme began around 2021 and continued for several years, allowing the pair to place bets through fake digital identities created using compromised data.
Kapoor and Lillaney were arrested on February 5 and produced before a US magistrate judge in New Haven. Both were later released on $300,000 bonds each as the case moves forward.
Federal investigators allege that the accused sourced stolen identity data from darknet marketplaces and encrypted messaging platforms, including Telegram. The information reportedly included names, dates of birth and other sensitive personal details. Authorities also claim the two maintained subscriptions to background-check services to gather additional information on victims, enabling them to bypass identity verification systems used by online gambling companies.
Once the accounts were activated, prosecutors say the defendants strategically placed wagers using bonus credits. Any winnings were allegedly transferred to virtual stored-value cards backed by FDIC-insured financial institutions before being routed into bank and investment accounts controlled by the accused.
Officials estimate the operation generated close to ₹25 crore in illegal proceeds.
Investigators said the case initially began as a routine gaming-related inquiry but expanded rapidly after the scale of identity theft became apparent. Authorities now believe the alleged fraud affected victims across multiple US states.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the probe highlighted how modern cyber fraud networks increasingly rely on encrypted communications, layered financial transfers and digital payment tools to conceal illicit profits. In this case, investigators traced transactions across several platforms, building a detailed financial trail that allegedly revealed coordinated money laundering activity.
The indictment includes 23 counts of wire fraud, eight counts of identity fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and 10 counts of money laundering, in addition to conspiracy charges. Several offences carry potential prison terms of up to 20 years, while aggravated identity theft charges come with mandatory consecutive two-year sentences.
Authorities have urged individuals who suspect their personal information may have been compromised to report incidents through official identity theft portals, stressing that early reporting can help limit financial damage and support ongoing investigations.
Federal prosecutors emphasised that the indictment contains allegations only and that Kapoor and Lillaney are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
If convicted on all counts, the defendants could face decades in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and forfeiture of assets allegedly linked to the scheme.
The case underscores growing concerns over identity theft in digital ecosystems, particularly in sectors offering promotional incentives. Law enforcement officials warned that such schemes are becoming more frequent as fraud networks exploit weaknesses in online verification systems.
Further court hearings are expected in the coming weeks.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
