Sonu Sood Summoned by ED
• 1xBet Money Laundering Case
• Sonu Sood Including Many Other Celebrity Endorsements Under Scanner
• Following the Money: Hawala, Crypto, and Asset Attachment
Actor Sonu Sood appears before the Enforcement Directorate as the 1xBet money laundering investigation widens. The Sprouts News Investigation Team reports on the ED’s probe into celebrity endorsements, hawala networks, and crypto transactions linked to the illegal betting app. The investigation, led under PMLA, focuses on hawala transactions, crypto assets, and celebrity endorsements of the betting platform. Sprouts SIT reports that Sood’s role, alongside other celebrities, is under scrutiny as the agency tracks alleged proceeds of crime in India’s illegal betting market.
- Sonu Sood Summoned by ED
- • 1xBet Money Laundering Case
- • Sonu Sood Including Many Other Celebrity Endorsements Under Scanner
- • Following the Money: Hawala, Crypto, and Asset Attachment
- ED’s Probe Widens: A Roster of Top Celebrities Questioned
- The Mechanics of the 1xBet Celebrity Endorsement Scandal
- Following the Money: Hawala, Crypto, and Asset Attachment
- What’s Next in the Expanding Investigation
Actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Delhi on Wednesday for questioning in a significant money-laundering case. The investigation, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is linked to the controversial online betting platform ‘1xBet’. Sood’s statement was recorded by officials at the agency’s central office, marking a pivotal moment in the expanding probe, as confirmed by the Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT).
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The ED is scrutinizing whether payments made to celebrities for promoting the betting app constitute “proceeds of crime.” This high-profile summons places a spotlight on the intricate financial networks that authorities allege facilitated the platform’s operations in India, where online betting is illegal.
ED’s Probe Widens: A Roster of Top Celebrities Questioned
The investigation has already ensnared a list of high-profile individuals from the sports and entertainment worlds. According to official sources and prior reports, renowned cricketers including Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, Robin Uthappa, and Yuvraj Singh have been interrogated in recent weeks. Furthermore, several prominent female social media influencers have also been summoned, indicating the wide net cast by the federal agency.
Officials familiar with the matter stated that the probe into ‘1xBet’ is a critical component of a larger crackdown on illicit online betting applications. These platforms are accused of defrauding Indian citizens of crores of rupees while allegedly evading substantial direct and indirect taxes. The Curacao-registered company, which claims 18 years of operation as a global bookmaker, is now at the center of a serious financial crime investigation.
Also Read: Shiv Sena Official Booked in Palghar Job Scam Case.
The Mechanics of the 1xBet Celebrity Endorsement Scandal
A key focus of the ED’s line of questioning, as analyzed by the Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT), is the initial contact between the celebrities and the betting firm. Investigators are meticulously tracing the chain of command, seeking to identify the primary nodal contacts within India who facilitated these promotional deals. The agency is examining the precise methods of payment, specifically whether funds were routed through legitimate banking channels or illicit means.
Celebrities have been directed to submit comprehensive documentation, including copies of their endorsement contracts, all email communications, and any related paperwork. A critical question posed to each individual is whether they were aware that promoting betting and certain forms of online gaming is illegal in India, a factor that could significantly impact the case.
Following the Money: Hawala, Crypto, and Asset Attachment
Beyond the endorsements, the ED is digging deeper into the financial labyrinth. The central question is how the funds paid to the celebrities were ultimately utilized. Officials are investigating potential links to hawala networks or cryptocurrency transactions aimed at laundering the illicit proceeds. Under PMLA guidelines, any income determined to be derived from criminal activity is liable for seizure.
Authorities have indicated that once sufficient evidence is gathered, the process of attaching assets belonging to individuals who benefited from the “proceeds of crime” will commence. This could include freezing bank accounts and seizing properties. The findings are expected to be compiled into a chargesheet to be filed in a competent court, paving the way for legal proceedings.
What’s Next in the Expanding Investigation
The summons of Sonu Sood signals that the ED is advancing to a more intense phase of its probe. Officials have confirmed that more sportspersons, film stars, and online influencers are likely to be summoned in the coming days. The investigation continues to unravel the sophisticated operational and financial model employed by the betting app to infiltrate the Indian market.
As the case develops, the scrutiny on celebrity endorsements for potentially illegal services is set to increase, prompting a industry-wide examination of due diligence practices. The outcome of this probe could establish significant legal precedents for holding influencers and celebrities accountable for the platforms they promote.
