Thu Jan 23 17:17:27 UTC 2025: ## Visakhapatnam Police Crack Down on Massive Online Cricket Betting Racket
**Visakhapatnam, January 23, 2025** – Visakhapatnam city police have launched a major crackdown on online cricket betting rings, arresting 21 individuals in two separate busts in recent weeks. The operations, involving the city task force (CTF) and, for the first time, the cybercrime wing, uncovered massive financial transactions.
One operation, conducted last week at Doctors’ Colony, resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals, with more arrests expected. Police identified transactions totaling ₹176 crore across 45 bank accounts. A separate December operation led to the arrest of 11 individuals and the discovery of ₹367 crore in transactions across over 60 bank accounts.
Police are targeting the bookies involved, suspecting the involvement of high-profile figures. A senior police official described a common modus operandi: bookies rent apartments in upscale areas, using sophisticated software and online communication to manage their operations and assign IDs to bettors. They also operate from rural areas, employing middlemen while the kingpins remain in larger cities.
The ongoing cricket season, including the England tour of India, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the Indian Premier League, has fueled the increased activity. Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi emphasized a tough stance against those involved, stating the devastating financial impact on victims. The involvement of the cybercrime wing, equipped with advanced technology, is crucial in tracking the complex web of online transactions and arrests. Several areas of the city, including Madhurawada, MVP Colony, and Kurmannapalem, are under particular scrutiny.
First Piper 