Six arrested in illegal betting scheme exploiting social media and UPI platforms
Sophisticated Digital Gambling Ring Operated From Rented Flat
Hyderabad authorities have dismantled a well-coordinated online betting syndicate involved in illegal Satta gambling, arresting six young men operating from a modest rented flat in Bagh Amberpet. The crackdown was the result of a collaborative effort between the Commissioner’s Task Force (Central Zone) and Amberpet Police, following a tip-off about suspicious digital betting activity in the area.
The syndicate had taken root just two months earlier, renting a flat in Bathakammakunta for Rs 14,000 per month, and was targeting victims through fake social media accounts and deceptive promotional tactics. The arrested individuals were aged between 23 and 30 and came from varied backgrounds, including one carpenter and several digital-savvy youths.
How the Racket Worked: Fake Profiles, False Wins, and UPI Transfers
The criminals created multiple fake Facebook accounts using unverified mobile numbers, posing as previous winners to lure users into the scam. Interested individuals were asked to pay a registration fee ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 to receive “winning number predictions.”
The gang used UPI apps, QR codes, and mobile wallets to collect funds—tools that made it easier to anonymize and obscure financial trails.
Once victims invested larger sums, the game outcomes were rigged to ensure losses, allowing the syndicate to pocket the entire amount. Authorities noted that the group also recorded and shared manipulated promotional videos to build credibility and attract more participants.
Police Seize Tech and Cash Valued at Rs 20 Lakh
During the raid, police confiscated:
Rs 79,000 in bank balances
17 mobile phones
A laptop
Multiple vehicles
Digital payment records
In total, the assets seized were valued at approximately Rs 20 lakh (US$23,333). The suspects have been handed over to Amberpet Police for further investigation and potential prosecution under India’s gambling laws.
Broader Context: Satta and the Digital Shift of Illegal Betting
Satta, also known as Matka gambling, is an outlawed numbers-based lottery scheme that has seen a resurgence in the digital era. Despite being banned in many Indian states, it continues to thrive underground, now aided by social media, encrypted communication apps, and seamless digital payments.
The Hyderabad bust is part of a broader national struggle to combat illegal online gambling, which has seen a sharp increase during and after the pandemic, as people turned to smartphones and the internet for entertainment and quick financial gains. The use of UPI and mobile-based financial services is increasingly becoming a double-edged sword—boosting convenience while also facilitating sophisticated scams.
Police Warning and Future Action
Law enforcement officials have warned citizens to stay alert against too-good-to-be-true betting schemes online, especially those requiring upfront payments or offering “guaranteed wins.” With Satta gambling now exploiting digital platforms, authorities are also urging social media companies and financial tech firms to strengthen identity verification systems and payment monitoring tools.
This case serves as a reminder of the urgent need for digital literacy, regulatory reforms, and proactive policing to curb India’s growing shadow economy of online gambling fraud.
