Home

News

Video

In-Short
ED Books Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, and 27 Others in Betting App Scam Investigation.
  • 530 views
  • 2 min read

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated action against 29 celebrities, including actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, and Prakash Raj, for allegedly promoting illegal online betting platforms. The ED's case follows a complaint filed by businessman Phanindra Sarma, who alleges that these celebrities endorsed betting apps through pop-up ads and other means on social media, misleading financially vulnerable users and causing them significant losses.

The ED has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR). The list of celebrities under scrutiny also includes Nidhhi Agerwal, Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha Subhash, Sreemukhi, and several social media influencers like Harsha Sai and the creators of the 'Local Boi Nani' YouTube channel. Authorities suspect that substantial sums of money were moved through these promotional activities, potentially involving money laundering.

The case is based on an FIR (First Information Report) filed earlier by the Cyberabad Police in Telangana. The FIR was registered on March 19 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Telangana Gaming Act (2017), which bans all forms of online betting, and the IT Act. The charges cover digital cheating, unlawful promotion of gambling platforms, and misleading users through electronic means.

Vijay Deverakonda's team responded to the FIR in March, stating that he had a contract with a company to serve as a brand ambassador for skill-based games only. His endorsement was strictly confined to regions where online skill-based games are legally permitted, and he did not endorse any illegal betting platforms. Similarly, Rana Daggubati clarified through his legal team that his collaboration with a gaming app ended in 2017, and all promotions were confined to legally permitted regions after proper vetting. Prakash Raj admitted to endorsing Junglee Rummy in 2016 but stated that the contract was compliant with existing regulations.

Other prominent Telugu TV personalities and digital content creators named in the case include Varshini Sounderajan, Siri Hanumanth, Vasanthi Krishnan, Shobha Shetty, Amrutha Chowdary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Imran Khan, Padmavati, Pandu, Vishnu Priya, Harsha Sai, Bhayya Sunny Yadav, Tasty Teja, Ritu Chowdary, and Bandaru Supreetha. Police allege that these individuals endorsed and circulated links to illegal betting apps in exchange for high commissions.

With cases registered across Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Visakhapatnam, and Suryapet, the ED has begun tracing the financial transactions involved. The investigation aims to determine the extent of the celebrities' involvement and the financial implications of their endorsements. The ED suspects the endorsements may have been used to launder large sums of money, impacting thousands of unsuspecting users. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities plan to issue notices to all those named in the FIR.


Writer - Kavya Reddy
Kavya Reddy is a dynamic journalist with a passion for uncovering compelling stories and a keen interest in sports. She brings a fresh perspective and a commitment to accurate, impactful reporting. Kavya is particularly interested in socio-economic issues and local community narratives, eager to use her skills to shed light on underreported topics and give a voice to diverse perspectives, all while staying connected to her love for sports.
Advertisement

Latest Post


World  |  Jul 10, 2025
The saga of the British F-35B fighter jet stranded in India since mid-June 2025 may be drawing to a close, with the aircraft potentially preparing for its journey back home. The incident, which began with an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram In...

Business  |  Jul 10, 2025
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT services company, has announced its financial results for the first quarter of FY26, showcasing a steady performance amidst market expectations. The company's consolidated net profit witnessed a ris...

World  |  Jul 10, 2025
Karnataka's Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, has addressed concerns regarding a recent increase in heart attack-related deaths, particularly in the Hassan district. While clarifying that COVID-19 vaccines are not the primary cause, he stated that t...

Technology  |  Jul 10, 2025
xAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, is generating buzz with its latest developments surrounding the Grok AI model. The company has teased upgrades to Grok, while Musk has made bold predictions about AI's potential to revolutionize scien...

Advertisement
World  |  Jul 10, 2025
A concerning surge in heart attack-related deaths in the Hassan district of Karnataka, India, has prompted investigations into potential causes, including cardiac arrest and blood clots. In the past 40 days, 22 individuals have died from heart attack...

Business  |  Jul 10, 2025
In a move to incentivize investments in green energy, the government has granted tax benefits to bonds issued by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA). The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Ministry of Finance has n...

Entertainment  |  Jul 10, 2025
Pragya Jaiswal is currently turning heads and setting social media ablaze with her recent photoshoot. The actress, known for her captivating presence, has shared pictures of herself in a stylish white monokini, and fans are going wild. In the photos...

World  |  Jul 10, 2025
The Supreme Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, addressed petitions challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to revise Bihar's electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. While refusing to halt the revision process, t...

Advertisement
About   •   Terms   •   Privacy
© 2025 DailyDigest360