Udupi CEN Police Nab Three in Online Cricket Betting Operation
Udupi: The Udupi CEN (Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics) police have apprehended three individuals allegedly involved in operating an illegal online cricket betting ring. The arrests were made near Bhujang Park in Ajjarakadu, Udupi on April 24 following a targeted operation led by CEN Police Deputy Superintendent A.C. Lokesh and Police Inspector Ramachandra Nayak.
The accused have been identified as Sriraj, 33, residing in Belur, Kundapur Taluk; Sandeep, 34, from Korgi; and Madhukar, 44, of Molahalli.
According to law enforcement officials, the individuals were utilizing a mobile application named “PARKER” to facilitate illegal cricket betting activities. The investigation revealed that the accused were collecting funds from members of the public by facilitating bets on an IPL T20 cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI), held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. The modus operandi involved contacting potential bettors, providing information on purported winning teams, soliciting funds, and distributing access to the illicit betting application.
The police operation, which included Police Sub-Inspector Pavan Nayak, ASI Umesh, and other personnel, resulted in the seizure of significant assets. Law enforcement confiscated Rs. 81,700 in cash, representing funds collected from the public through the illegal betting scheme. Furthermore, four mobile phones, with an estimated total value of Rs. 1,35,000, and a car (registration number KA-20-MF-1440), used in the commission of the crime and valued at Rs. 10,00,000, were also seized. The total estimated value of the seized assets amounts to Rs. 12,16,700.
The case has been officially registered at the San Crime Police Station under Crime Number 14/2025, citing Sections 78 of the Karnataka Police Act (KP Act) and 112 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS Act).
Following their arrest, the accused were presented before the court, which remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days, extending until May 6th. The investigation is ongoing.
