ED investigation revealed that the celebrities knowingly entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities for the promotion of illegal offshore betting platform 1xBet through its surrogates
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, November 29, 2025: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Headquarters office has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets valued at Rs. 7.93 Crore belonging to Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthhapa, Urvashi Rautela, Sonu Sood, Mimi Chakraborty, Ankush Hazra and Neha Sharma under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as per a press release issued by the ED today.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by various State Police agencies against the operators of the illegal offshore betting platform 1xBet. The investigation has revealed that 1xBet and its surrogate brand 1xBat, 1xbat Sporting lines were engaged in promoting and facilitating illegal online betting and gambling operations across India.
ED investigation revealed that the celebrities knowingly entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities for the promotion of 1xBet through its surrogates. These endorsements were made in return for payments routed through foreign entities to conceal the illicit origin of the funds, which are linked to Proceeds of Crime (POC) generated from illegal betting activities.
ED investigation has further revealed that 1xBet operated in India without authorization and used surrogate branding and advertisements to target Indian users through social media, online videos, and print media. Payments for endorsements were structured through layered transactions using foreign intermediaries to disguise the illegal source of funds.
Earlier on 06-10-2025, ED had attached assets amounting to 11.14 Crore of Cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina ED cautions that illegal betting and gambling platforms cause serious economic harm and are widely used for money laundering and other unlawful activities. The public is advised to avoid such platforms and report any suspicious transactions or advertisements to law enforcement agencies, or the ED.
Celebrities and social media influencers are specifically warned that endorsing or promoting illegal betting or gambling platforms, including through surrogate promotions, is a punishable offence attract action under applicable laws.
