ED Attaches ₹11.14 Crore Assets of Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan in 1xBet Money Laundering Case

In a major development that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing and entertainment world, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan . The action comes under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as part of the agency’s probe into alleged illegal offshore betting operations linked to the notorious platform 1xBet and its surrogate brands, 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines.

According to official sources, the ED has issued a provisional attachment order targeting mutual fund investments worth ₹6.64 crore in Raina’s name and an immovable property valued at ₹4.5 crore owned by Dhawan . Both players have been questioned by the agency for their roles in allegedly endorsing the betting network and receiving payments through suspicious channels.

The Case: Endorsements Under Scrutiny

The ED’s investigation has revealed that both cricketers “knowingly entered into endorsement agreements” with foreign entities connected to 1xBet — a betting and gambling platform banned in India. The probe found that Raina and Dhawan participated in promotional activities for 1xBet and its surrogates, helping expand the platform’s reach among Indian audiences.

According to investigators, these endorsement deals were structured to appear legitimate but were in fact part of a larger web of layered transactions designed to disguise the illicit origins of the funds. The agency suspects that these payments were proceeds of crime generated through illegal online betting operations targeting Indian users.

A senior ED official said,

“Both cricketers were aware that 1xBet was not authorised to operate in India. Yet, they chose to engage in promotional activities for associated brands. The funds received were routed through multiple foreign intermediaries before entering India, giving the illusion of legitimate endorsement income.”

The Bigger Network: 1xBet and Its Offshore Empire

Registered in Curacao, 1xBet markets itself as a global online bookmaker with over 18 years of experience in the betting industry. However, in India, the platform operates illegally, using surrogate branding strategies to evade regulatory oversight.

The ED’s probe stems from multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by various state police departments against 1xBet’s operators. These reports alleged that the company was facilitating illegal online betting for Indian users via unverified payment gateways and mule accounts.

Investigators discovered that more than 6,000 mule accounts were used to collect deposits from Indian users. The money was then routed through several layers of transactions to obscure its source before being reintroduced into the financial system as apparently legitimate funds.

The ED’s analysis indicates that the money laundering scale exceeded ₹1,000 crore, involving fake merchant profiles and fraudulent financial intermediaries.

ED’s Enforcement Action and Seizures

As part of its recent enforcement drive, the ED conducted search operations at four payment gateway companies, uncovering a trail of suspicious transactions linked to the betting syndicate.

During the searches, officials froze over ₹4 crore in funds and 60 bank accounts, besides seizing digital evidence and documents indicating complex money flows between Indian promoters, foreign entities, and celebrity endorsers.

The agency’s provisional attachment order against Raina and Dhawan marks a crucial step in the ongoing crackdown. While neither cricketer has been formally charged at this stage, the ED maintains that further inquiry is underway to determine the full extent of their involvement.

Celebrities Under the Scanner

The ED has reportedly questioned several other public figures in connection with the case. These include former cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, actors Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela , and Bengali film stars Mimi Chakraborty (a former Trinamool Congress MP) and Ankush Hazra.

According to officials, these individuals either promoted or were associated with 1xBet and its surrogate brands through sponsorships, event appearances, or digital campaigns. Many of these collaborations were allegedly arranged through foreign intermediaries, masking the platform’s true ownership and funding sources.

ED’s Public Advisory: “Avoid Illegal Betting and Suspicious Ads”

Following the asset attachment order, the ED has issued a strong advisory to the public warning citizens against engaging with online betting platforms or promoting them in any capacity. The agency urged people to be cautious of advertisements promising “quick money” or “guaranteed returns”, particularly those circulating on Telegram and WhatsApp groups.

The ED further cautioned individuals against sharing their bank accounts, debit cards, or payment wallets for receiving or transferring funds from unknown sources.

“Allowing one’s financial accounts to be used for such activities can lead to prosecution under PMLA,” the statement said. The law prescribes up to seven years of imprisonment and attachment of properties derived from such illegal transactions.

The Broader Impact: A Web of Crime and Image Damage

The ED emphasised that illegal betting and gambling operations are not just financial crimes but also conduits for money laundering and potential financing of unlawful activities. The agency described 1xBet’s business model as a “sophisticated laundering network” that exploits loopholes in cross-border financial regulation.

For the sports fraternity, the controversy has reignited debates about celebrity accountability. Experts argue that public figures must conduct due diligence before associating with brands that operate in grey legal zones, especially in a country where online betting is banned in most states.

While both Raina and Dhawan have maintained silence since the attachment order, their reputation as respected cricketers could face reputational strain if the investigation deepens.

What Lies Ahead

The ED has confirmed that further investigation is ongoing, focusing on payment intermediaries, digital marketing agencies, and offshore beneficiaries linked to 1xBet’s Indian operations. The agency aims to establish a complete financial trail from illegal bets placed by Indian users to the final beneficiaries abroad.

As authorities widen their net, more high-profile names from sports and entertainment could come under scrutiny. Meanwhile, the case serves as a wake-up call for celebrities endorsing brands without proper legal vetting — an act that could invite serious legal and financial consequences under the PMLA.