Gorakhpur: The Shahpur police and Cyber Crime Cell in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur have busted an alleged interstate betting network operating under the cover of online gaming. Police arrested five people for allegedly running a local branch of the illegal gaming portal ‘Ready Anna’. Preliminary investigation has indicated that the network had been operating from a rented house in the Shahpur area for around six months, facilitating online betting and related financial transactions. According to police, the alleged kingpin and two key associates remain absconding.
The arrested accused have been identified as Nitish Singh and Abhay Kumar Singh from Deoria, Wajid Chaudhary and Sahil Chaudhary from Muzaffarnagar, and Munna Kumar from Siwan in Bihar. Police said the accused were allegedly handling different aspects of online betting operations and financial transactions.
The investigation found that the accused had obtained the administrator panel of the ‘Ready Anna’ website and were allegedly operating its local branch. People, particularly young users, were allegedly targeted through social media and messaging platforms with promises of making quick and substantial profits. Different bank accounts were allegedly used to facilitate deposits and withdrawals linked to the betting operation.
Transactions Conducted Through Mule Bank Accounts
According to police, the network was allegedly using bank accounts opened in the names of other individuals. These mule accounts were used to receive, transfer and withdraw money connected with betting activities. Preliminary investigation has indicated transactions worth lakhs of rupees were taking place through these accounts every day. Police suspect that the alleged profits were distributed among different members of the network at the end of the day.
The police operation was carried out at a rented house near a water tank in Semra Number area under Shahpur police station. Acting on specific information, the joint team conducted a raid at the location on Thursday morning. Police said the accused were found allegedly engaged in online operations at the premises. A large quantity of electronic equipment and banking documents was recovered during the search.
23 Mobile Phones and Banking Documents Recovered
Police recovered 23 smartphones and mobile phones, three laptops, one mini laptop and three tablets from the premises. The seizure also included 11 ATM or debit cards, 16 bank passbooks and cheque books, a biometric fingerprint device, a high-speed Wi-Fi router, a power bank and several financial documents.
Investigators suspect that the seized devices may contain digital evidence related to betting panels, customer details, banking transactions and other members of the network. All electronic devices have been seized and sent for cyber and forensic analysis.
Investigators are examining the devices and bank accounts to determine how many people were connected to the betting network and the total volume of money allegedly routed through it. The source and final beneficiaries of the funds are also being traced through the banking records.
Police registered a case against the five arrested accused under relevant legal provisions and produced them before a court. They were subsequently sent to judicial custody.
According to police, the alleged kingpin, Sanjeev Singh, along with his associates Nitish Pratap Singh and Sunish Kumar Singh, remains absconding. Special teams are conducting raids at possible locations to arrest them.
Investigators said detailed analysis of the bank accounts, electronic devices and online betting panel could reveal the actual reach and financial scale of the network. Further investigation may also identify additional members and other branches allegedly operating in different states.
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.
