In a major crackdown on online betting and illegal broadcasting, the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) Mumbai Zonal Office has provisionally attached assets worth ₹307.16 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The move comes as part of the ongoing probe into the controversial betting platform “Fairplay.”
Assets Under Attachment
The provisionally attached assets include:
| Type of Asset | Location | Value (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bank balances (movable) | India & Abroad | Part of ₹307.16 Cr total |
| Villas, flats, lands | Dubai, UAE | Part of ₹307.16 Cr total |
The ED noted that these assets were acquired through illegal betting proceeds and laundered money routed abroad via trade-based mechanisms.
How the Case Began
The investigation was triggered by an FIR filed by Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. with the Nodal Cyber Police in Mumbai against M/s Fairplay and others.
- Allegations included illegal broadcasting, copyright violations, and online betting activities.
- The FIR estimated a loss of over ₹100 crore in revenue.
- Multiple other FIRs against Fairplay and its associates were later consolidated for investigation.
Modus Operandi: Offshore Companies & Laundering
According to the ED probe, Krish Laxmichand Shah, identified as the key mastermind, created multiple companies across global jurisdictions to operate Fairplay:
- Curacao: M/s Play Ventures N.V, M/s Dutch Antilles Management N.V
- Dubai (UAE): M/s Fair Play Sport LLC, M/s Fairplay Management DMCC
- Malta: M/s Play Ventures Holding Limited
Shah, along with associates like Anil Kumar Dadlani, allegedly managed Fairplay primarily from Dubai. The investigation found that Shah, his family, and associates acquired assets in their own names and in the names of related entities across the UAE.
Previous Action by ED
The case has been under ED’s lens for over a year with multiple enforcement steps:
| Date | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| 12.06.2024, 27.08.2024, 27.09.2024 & 25.10.2024 | Search operations, seizure/freezing of assets and digital devices |
| 22.11.2024, 26.12.2024 & 15.01.2025 | Provisional Attachment Orders issued |
| 12.02.2025 | Arrest of key accused Chintan Shah and Chirag Shah |
| 01.04.2025 | Prosecution Complaint filed in PMLA Court |
| 25.04.2025 | Court took cognizance of the complaint |
With the latest attachment, the total assets seized/attached in the case now amount to ₹651.31 crore.
What Lies Ahead
The ED has confirmed that further investigation is ongoing, especially into fund flows abroad and asset acquisitions in the UAE. Officials suggest that the scale of operations indicates “proceeds of crime” running into several hundred crores.
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