PANAJI
The Vasai Crime Branch has arrested nine people for allegedly running an online betting racket from Goa, using bank accounts and SIM cards registered in others’ names to route transactions linked to cricket and other sports.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Doifode said the network operated from Suntech Hill View-1 End Lakeshore Society in Naigaon East, offering betting on cricket, football, rummy and other games.
A team from Vasai Crime Branch Unit-2, led by Senior Police Inspector Nitin Patil, raided the premises on October 3 and arrested Furqan Ansari, 21; Nitin Makhijani, 45; Karan Tanwani, 21; Deepak Shekhawat, 26; Hitik Khubchandani, 26; Rakesh Wadhwani, 30; and Mohit Poptani, 24. The investigation began after technical analysis of mobile numbers led police to North Goa.
Police seized 33 mobile phones, four laptops, 78 passbooks and chequebooks, 69 ATM cards, 40 SIM cards, two CCTV cameras and a notebook. Electronic devices and banking documents were valued at an estimated Rs 9.86 lakh.
Interrogation of the seven accused led to the arrests of two more suspects, Nicholas alias Nikki Rangari, 34, and Deepak Dhirwani, 44, on the Pune-Ahilyanagar Road.
Police are examining bank accounts, financial transactions and SIM card dealings to establish the racket’s scale and identify other suspects.
