Varanasi: The Cyber Crime Police in Varanasi have busted an alleged large-scale online betting and gambling network, arresting two accused who were reportedly operating the racket from a rented apartment in Jagatganj. According to investigators, the accused, both residents of Kanpur, were running nationwide online betting operations through a website identified as “Om”. Preliminary findings suggest that the network may have facilitated transactions worth nearly ₹20 crore over the past year. Police are now searching for the alleged kingpin and other members of the syndicate.
Two Accused Arrested
The arrested accused have been identified as Deepak Singh and Navneet Singh. Police said the duo not only managed the online betting operations but were also allegedly involved in hacking social media accounts and misusing them for cyber offences. During interrogation, they reportedly disclosed the names of two other suspected associates, Praveen alias Akshay and Dilawar, who remain absconding.
According to investigators, the accused lured people into online betting by circulating attractive digital flyers and promotional messages through social media platforms and WhatsApp. They allegedly created WhatsApp groups using virtual mobile numbers and provided betting IDs and passwords to interested users, enabling them to place wagers through the website.
Fake Accounts And QR Codes Used
The investigation further revealed that betting deposits were collected through multiple bank accounts and merchant QR codes, while payouts were processed using separate bank accounts and online payment portals. Police said the network relied on fake SIM cards, mule bank accounts, and various digital payment channels to conceal the movement of funds.
Cyber Crime Police stated that accounts linked to the “Om” website received an average of ₹5 lakh every day. Based on this financial pattern, investigators estimate that the syndicate may have processed nearly ₹20 crore in illegal transactions over the past year. Authorities are examining banking records, digital devices, and the complete financial trail to determine the actual scale of the operation.
₹2,000 Complaint Exposed Network
The alleged betting racket came to light during the investigation of a ₹2,000 cyber fraud reported by a woman from another city through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Police traced the mobile number mentioned in the complaint using the Pratibimb Portal, which led them to Jagatganj in Varanasi. A subsequent raid resulted in the arrest of the two accused.
During questioning, police learned that the arrested men allegedly worked only as handlers and were paid through commissions or fixed salaries. Investigators believe the actual operator of the “Om” betting platform remains unidentified and that the entire network was being run under his directions. The accused were reportedly living in a rented apartment in Varanasi for approximately ₹15,000 per month while conducting the alleged illegal operation.
Financial Trail Under Probe
Commenting on the case, renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that online betting syndicates are increasingly using social engineering, virtual numbers, mule bank accounts, and digital payment systems to evade detection. He warned that such platforms not only facilitate financial fraud but can also become channels for money laundering and organised cybercrime. He advised the public to stay away from unauthorised betting or investment platforms and immediately report any suspicious online activity to the Cyber Helpline 1930 or the nearest Cyber Crime Police Station.
