The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan.
The action comes as part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation linked to the illegal offshore betting platform 1xBet and its surrogate brands 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines.
Officials confirmed that the ED issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The attachment includes ₹6.64 crore in mutual fund investments under Raina’s name and an immovable property worth ₹4.5 crore owned by Dhawan.
Investigators revealed that both cricketers allegedly signed endorsement deals with 1xBet surrogates despite being aware of the platform’s unlawful status. The ED uncovered a ₹1,000 crore laundering network involving over 6,000 mule accounts and multiple unverified payment gateways. So far, authorities have frozen ₹4 crore in funds and 60 bank accounts.
The agency continues to examine the financial gains and contractual details of the endorsements. Officials emphasized that further investigation will determine the depth of involvement and potential violations.
In response to the findings, the ED issued a public advisory warning citizens against promoting or participating in online betting and gambling activities. The crackdown signals a broader effort to curb illegal betting operations and scrutinize celebrity endorsements linked to financial misconduct.
