ED, Bengaluru Zonal Office, has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties belonging to M/s Gameskraft Technologies
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, July 24, 2026: Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bengaluru Zonal Office, has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties valued at approximately Rs.1,906 Crore belonging to M/s. Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd., its shareholders and associated entities, in the case of RummyCulture App. & Others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, vide a Provisional Attachment Order dated 22/07/2026. The attachment has been made in connection with the investigation into the generation and laundering of Proceeds of Crime derived from the cheating of online real-money rummy gaming players.
The provisionally attached assets comprise balances in bank accounts, fixed deposits, mutual funds, convertible notes, equity shares, a farmhouse, and multiple residential and commercial immovable properties held in the names of the shareholders of M/s. Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd., their family members, private family trusts, and various associated entities.
ED initiated investigation under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002, on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the LEA in the state of Telangana for offences of cheating under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which are scheduled offences under the PMLA. Earlier, the ED conducted Search and Seizure operations under Section 17 of the PMLA, 2002 at the office premises of M/s. Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and the residential premises of its Directors and key employees during 07/05/2026 to 13/05/2026 and also on 20/06/2026 to 21/06/2026. These searches resulted in the seizure of several incriminating documents, digital devices and electronic records, which have formed crucial evidence during the course of investigation.
The investigation conducted so far has revealed that M/s. Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and M/s. RummyTime Technologies Pvt. Ltd. were engaged in operating online Real Money Games (RMGs), particularly online rummy games and tournaments, through mobile applications under various brands including RummyCulture, RummyPrime, Playship and RummyTime. The platforms had a user base of around 3 Crore users across the country. Investigation further revealed that a significant number of users were located in the states where online real-money gaming has been banned, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These companies have derived substantial revenues by charging platform commission ranging from 10% to 15% on the staking/wagering amounts deposited by users.
The investigation further revealed that, while assuring users that the gaming platforms were transparent, fair and free from automated players (BOTs), these companies have deployed BOTs (automated programs/algorithms) against the gullible users without their knowledge or consent. The use of BOTs has resulted in substantial financial losses to the users while generating Proceeds of Crime for the companies. The investigation has also revealed that the companies adopted deceptive and addictive user acquisition and retention strategies. Approximately Rs.1,035 Crore was spent on marketing and promotional campaigns to acquire new users. The new users were lured through bonuses, referral incentives, free tournament entries and promotional rewards to encourage continuous gameplay and increased deposits.
The companies also allegedly imposed restrictive withdrawal mechanisms, including a withdrawal levy ranging from 5% to 10% in certain cases, and also motivated users to convert withdrawable balances into non-withdrawable ‘Game Cash’ through ‘Super Booster’ offers. Dormant users, including those who had stopped playing after incurring heavy financial losses, were targeted through instant cash credits, promotional offers, push notifications, SMS campaigns and telemarketing calls to induce them to resume gameplay.
These unscrupulous practices of the companies have created an addictive gaming environment that encouraged repeated wagering, thereby enabling the companies to generate huge proceeds of crime in the form of platform commission. Further investigation has revealed that the Proceeds of Crime generated through the above activities were subsequently layered and integrated through payment of Dividends & Buy-back of shares to shareholders.
Further, these proceeds were concealed in the form of investments in mutual funds, bonds, convertible notes, equity shares, movable assets and high-value immovable properties, including those held through family trusts and associated entities, thereby projecting them as untainted properties. Earlier, during the course of Search, movable assets valued at approximately Rs. 495 Crore were frozen under the provisions of Section 17(1A) of the PMLA, 2002, along with cash amounting to Rs. 11 Lakh and gold/diamond jewellery, including bullion weighing 2.30 KGs (approx.), were seized. Accordingly, the total value of Proceeds of Crime attached, frozen and seized during the course of investigation so far stands at approximately Rs. 2,401 Crore. Further investigation is under progress.
