Bengaluru: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bengaluru Zonal Office, carried out an extensive five-day search operation from 18 to 22 November 2025 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The searches were conducted at multiple locations in Bengaluru and Gurugram, including the offices of M/s Nirdesa Networks Pvt. Ltd. (NNPL), M/s Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (GTPL), and the residential premises of the directors and other accused or suspected individuals.
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Large-Scale Fraud Allegations Against Pocket52
The ED’s action stems from an FIR filed by the Karnataka Police alleging that Pocket52, an online real-money gaming platform operated by M/s Nirdesa Networks Pvt. Ltd., was involved in large-scale cheating and manipulation.
According to the FIR, the platform allegedly manipulated game outcomes, enabled player collusion, engineered technical glitches, imposed withdrawal restrictions, and maintained an overall lack of transparency.
A complainant reported losing over ₹3 crore due to systematic cheating, alleging that Pocket52 dismissed concerns, removed transparency tools such as hand-history features, and ignored responsible gaming safeguards. The FIR also names senior leadership of Pocket52 and its parent entity, who remain under investigation for cheating and regulatory violations.
ED Seizes Digital Evidence, Extracts Large Volume of Data
During the PMLA investigation and subsequent searches, ED officials found several indications that the gaming platform deliberately exploited users. Numerous players had complained about algorithm manipulation and unfair gameplay mechanisms.
The search operations led to the seizure of:
- Mobile phones, laptops, and other digital devices from the residences of the directors and founders
- Massive data backups from the offices of Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd., including server data and system logs
The ED observed that even as users repeatedly flagged manipulation and losses, the company failed to establish any compensation or grievance redressal mechanism, further raising suspicion of deliberate negligence.
Company Held Over ₹30 Crore in Escrow Even After Ban
A key revelation in the probe is that the company continued to retain substantial user funds even after the central government enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROG Act), 2025 on 22 August 2025, banning several real-money gaming formats in India.
Despite the ban, Pocket52/NNPL and associated entities were found holding more than ₹30 crore in their escrow accounts, without initiating refunds to affected gamers or customers.
Eight Escrow Accounts with ₹18.57 Crore Frozen
Taking the investigation forward, the ED froze eight escrow bank accounts under Section 17(1A) of PMLA. These accounts, held across multiple banks, contained a combined balance of approximately ₹18.57 crore.
Officials suspect that these accounts were used to park the proceeds of crime, generated through manipulated gaming activities and illegal earnings routed through NNPL, Pocket52, and affiliated entities.
Ongoing Probe Points to Major Financial Irregularities
According to ED sources, the case involves serious allegations of online gaming fraud, wrongful gain, user exploitation, and laundering of illegally obtained funds. The agency is currently conducting an in-depth forensic examination of digital data, financial trails, transaction logs, and algorithmic systems used by the platform.
Preliminary findings suggest that further asset attachments, additional bank account freezes, and potential arrests may follow as the investigation progresses.
