The Enforcement Directorate's (ED) intensified probe into the finances of Unnao-based YouTuber Anurag Dwivedi has cast a glaring spotlight on his extraordinarily lavish destination wedding in Dubai, where crores of rupees were reportedly spent to celebrate his nuptials. The wedding festivities, which took place in November 2025, have come under intense public and official scrutiny as the agency investigates allegations of money laundering linked to illegal betting operations.
A Wedding Extravaganza Amidst Financial Scrutiny
Anurag Dwivedi, who faces allegations of promoting illegal betting platforms, married his partner Tamanna after a 12-year relationship. The main ceremony was held aboard the iconic Queen Elizabeth-2 cruise ship in Dubai. To ensure the presence of his loved ones, Dwivedi orchestrated a grand gesture, flying over 130 guests on five separate flights, covering all expenses including airfare, visas, accommodation, meals, and sightseeing. Notably, he even facilitated passports for guests who did not possess one.
The guests were treated to luxury stays across more than 25 hotel rooms, provided with dedicated transport, and taken on tours to major Dubai landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Creek. Attendees revealed that the spending averaged between Rs 90,000 to Rs 1 lakh per guest solely on travel and lodging. With the cruise booking, elaborate décor, logistics, and celebrity performances added, the total wedding budget is estimated to have run into several crores. A prominent Bollywood playback singer and actor performed live, adding to the high-profile nature of the event.
The ED's Money Laundering Probe and Allegations
This spectacle unfolds against the backdrop of a serious ED investigation. The agency alleges that Dwivedi, who projects himself as the "face of fantasy cricket" to his over 2.3 million social media followers, has links to illegal betting apps, hawala transactions, and dubious overseas investments. The ED's Kolkata Zonal Office has conducted searches at 10 premises in Lucknow, Unnao, and Delhi linked to Dwivedi.
During these raids, the agency recovered incriminating documents, digital devices, and around Rs 20 lakh in cash. Investigators have frozen bank accounts, seized cash, and impounded luxury vehicles, including a Lamborghini and a Mercedes, from his Unnao home. The total value of movable and immovable assets linked to Dwivedi is estimated at around Rs 20 crore.
The ED claims that Dwivedi used his influence as a fantasy cricket influencer to promote illegal betting platforms, laundering the proceeds through a complex network of firms, family members, mule accounts, and hawala channels. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the agency has frozen bank balances, fixed deposits, and insurance policies worth approximately Rs 3 crore. Scrutiny of seized documents allegedly reveals that Dwivedi made real estate investments in Dubai through these illicit hawala channels.
Origins of the Case and Current Status
The case originated from a 2022 FIR by the West Bengal Police following a raid in Siliguri that uncovered an organised betting operation linked to online platforms used during major cricket tournaments. The subsequent fund-trail analysis led investigators to accounts connected to Dwivedi and his associates. The ED states that after generating income from promoting illegal betting websites, Dwivedi left India and is currently residing in Dubai. He has been issued multiple summons but has failed to appear before the agency so far.
According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Dwivedi is linked to multiple firms, including Fantwear Fashion, RP Greens India, DSD Sports and Media, and Bhumideva Projects. Investigators contrast his claims of middle-class roots with a lifestyle featuring luxury cars, overseas properties, and the now-famous cruise wedding, suggesting it belies the true source of his wealth.
