Five Individuals Arrested in Pimpri Chinchwad for Operating Illegal Online Gambling Racket
The Crime Branch of the Pimpri Chinchwad police has made a significant breakthrough by arresting five people on Thursday for allegedly running an illegal online gambling and betting operation. The racket was conducted through the banned web application known as "Winadda", highlighting ongoing concerns about digital crime in the region.
Details of the Arrest and Raid
Acting on a credible tip-off, crime branch officers conducted a raid at an apartment located in the Life Republic society in Marunji around 10:40 PM. During the operation, the police apprehended the five accused individuals who were reportedly engaged in illicit activities. The authorities seized multiple items from the scene, including cell phones, laptops, and a substantial amount of cash. The total value of the confiscated items is estimated to be Rs 3.01 lakh.
Identities of the Accused
The Hinjewadi police have identified the arrested individuals as follows:
- Pranay Manohar Jambhule, aged 26, from Wardha in Maharashtra
- Durgesh Ganesh Chhediya, aged 20, from Chhattisgarh
- Sunilkumar Chowdhary, aged 28, from Surat in Gujarat
- Sarang Balaji Daf, aged 25, from Nagpur
- Mukesh Kumar Kuseram, aged 27, from Bihar
This diverse group hails from various parts of the country, indicating a widespread network involved in the illegal operation.
Legal Charges and Investigation
The accused have been booked under multiple sections of the law, including:
- Section 318(4) for cheating
- Section 335 for making false documents
- Sections 336(2), 336(3), 338, and 340(2) for forgery
- Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Relevant sections of the Information Technology Act
- Provisions of the Maharashtra Gambling Act
A formal statement from the police, issued on Friday, confirmed these charges and emphasized the seriousness of the offenses.
Modus Operandi and Ongoing Probe
According to Police Inspector Arvind Pawar of the Crime Branch, the accused were operating through the banned "Winadda" app. The investigation has revealed that they were using bank accounts opened under fake names and SIM cards obtained through fraudulent means to facilitate financial transactions for online betting and gambling. "We are currently probing the bank accounts used in these crimes," stated Pawar. The court has remanded the accused in police custody for five days to allow for further interrogation.
Search for the Kingpin
The police are actively searching for the alleged kingpin of the operation, who is believed to have recruited the arrested individuals from different regions across India. This mastermind reportedly set up the illegal online gambling unit in a rented apartment, where it has been operational for the past six months. Authorities suspect that the main accused provided the bank account details and SIM cards to the arrested men, enabling them to accept online bets via the "WinAdda" app. It is alleged that the kingpin contacted the arrested individuals through a "web login" system and instructed them to transfer money from bettors and gamblers into suspicious bank accounts.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of this illegal network and bring all involved parties to justice.
