The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is delving into a high-profile investigation involving gambling and money laundering, with a spotlight on Bollywood’s glitterati. The probe focuses on a Mumbai-based event management firm suspected of recruiting celebrities to promote the Fairplay betting app, a subsidiary of the controversial Mahadev betting app. Prominent figures such as Sanjay Dutt, Jacqueline Fernandez, and rapper Badshah are under scrutiny for their alleged involvement. The ED has already recorded statements from Badshah and the managers of Dutt and Fernandez.
According to reports, this investigation was triggered by a complaint from Viacom18 Media Pvt. Limited, leading to an FIR by the Maharashtra Cyber Police in Mumbai. Before raiding the event management firm, the ED reportedly obtained a statement from a key individual there. The raids uncovered a wealth of documents, including contracts with celebrities to promote Fairplay, details on payment methods and transactions, and other crucial company information. Reports suggest Fernandez may have received a substantial sum from a Dubai-based entity, Trim General Trading LLC, for endorsing the app.
Further reports indicate that Badshah’s alleged involvement points towards a Melbourne-based company, Lyukos Group FZF. Documents provided by the rapper to authorities reveal that Lyukos Group partnered with two Mumbai talent management firms to promote the betting app. Dutt, on the other hand, is suspected of receiving Rs. 25 lakhs from a Singaporean gaming company to promote the app on social media.
The ED is meticulously examining all seized documents and the statements from Badshah and the managers. These statements were forwarded by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell for further investigation.
This isn’t the first time Bollywood has been linked to the Mahadev app controversy. Last year, celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, and Kapil Sharma were questioned by the ED regarding their connections to the app.
The Enforcement Directorate, which is investigating the illegal betting case, has reportedly recorded statements from the managers of Sanjay Dutt and Jacqueline Fernandez regarding their involvement in the case. The probe, initiated on Wednesday, revolves around the Fairplay case—a subsidiary of the Mahadev Betting app. This investigation centers around allegations that the company enlisted Bollywood stars to promote and endorse the betting app.
According to a report by the Free Press Journal, the ED had already recorded the statement of an individual linked to the event management firm a month prior to the searches. The subsequent raid led to the seizure of several documents, including contracts with celebrities, payment records, and other transactional details.
The inquiry was initiated after the Maharashtra Cyber Police, Mumbai, filed an FIR following a complaint from Viacom18 Media Pvt. Limited. The Cyber Cell had previously provided information to the ED, which included statements from Badshah’s manager Prateek Singh Sisodia and the managers of the other involved celebrities. These statements were handed over to the ED for further scrutiny.
The investigation revealed that Jacqueline allegedly received a substantial sum from a Dubai-based company for endorsing and promoting the betting app, while Dutt reportedly received Rs 25 lakhs from a gaming company based in Singapore. The probe aims to uncover any potential violations of financial and cyber laws.
The Enforcement Directorate recorded a statement from singer Badshah in a case involving a betting app. The ED also questioned managers of Jacqueline Fernandez and Sanjay Dutt as part of the same probe.
In this Article:
– ED questions Badshah and managers of Sanjay Dutt and Jacqueline Fernandez in the betting app case
– Jacqueline Fernandez, Badshah, and Sanjay Dutt received money for promoting the betting app
– ED plans to summon Bollywood actors soon
