ED searches at Unnao YouTuber’s premises yield high-end cars, cash | Lucknow News
Lucknow: The Enforcement Directorate’s crackdown on Unnao YouTuber and social media influencer Anurag Dwivedi, who is accused of promoting illegal online betting and gambling applications, yielded a Land Rover Defender and a BMW Z4 besides other incriminating documents. Dwivedi came under ED’s lens after his lavish wedding in Dubai in December. According to the ED, after generating income from the promotion and facilitation of illegal betting websites, Dwivedi left India and is currently residing in Dubai.
Earlier, on Dec 17, the ED carried out searches at his premises in Lucknow and Unnao, during which four luxury vehicles, including a Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes, Ford Endeavour and Thar, along with cash worth around Rs 20 lakh, were seized.The ED conducted search operations again on Dec 31 and Jan 1 at multiple locations in Lucknow and Varanasi, apart from Surat, Mumbai and Delhi, in connection with a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).The ED probe was initiated based on a 2022 FIR registered by the West Bengal Police, which uncovered an online betting panel allegedly operated using mule bank accounts. Investigators allege that Dwivedi actively promoted illegal betting platforms and received illicit funds through layered financial channels. The ED stated that the accused left India and is currently residing in Dubai and did not appear before the agency despite multiple summonses.The investigation revealed that proceeds of crime were allegedly routed through hawala channels, with investments made in real estate abroad, including Dubai. Movable assets worth approximately Rs 3 crore were also frozen.Investigators allege that Dwivedi used his popularity as a fantasy cricket influencer to promote illegal betting platforms, laundering proceeds through a web of firms, family members, mule accounts, and hawala channels. The ED froze bank balances, fixed deposits, and insurance policies worth about Rs 3 crore under PMLA, and claimed documents pointed to real estate investments in Dubai made via illicit routes.Earlier, the ED arrested three individuals in connection with the case and filed a prosecution complaint before the special PMLA court in Kolkata on Aug 1. The agency also froze and attached movable assets worth Rs 23.7 crore in the matter. Further probe is on.
