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What happened
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken significant action by attaching assets worth ₹11.14 crore from former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan as part of a money laundering investigation connected to the online betting site 1xBet. A provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has been issued, which includes Dhawan's immovable property valued at ₹4.5 crore and Raina's mutual fund worth ₹6.64 crore. The ED's investigation suggests that both cricketers knowingly entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities to promote 1xBet, which is registered in Curacao and claims to be a globally recognized bookmaker. The agency has also questioned other notable figures, including cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, as well as various actors, indicating a broader inquiry into the connections between celebrities and illegal betting operations.
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Key insights
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Cricketers involved in endorsements: Raina and Dhawan allegedly endorsed the illegal betting site 1xBet.
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Significant asset attachment: ED attached assets totaling ₹11.14 crore from the cricketers.
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3
Broader investigation scope: The ED is questioning multiple celebrities linked to the betting case.
Takeaways
The ED's actions against Raina and Dhawan underscore the serious implications of celebrity endorsements in illegal activities, particularly in the realm of online betting and money laundering.