Gujarat police bust App-Based Gamblers from Ahmedabad

According to BD Bhatt, the city's cybercrime police station's Inspector, "The accused used this app to bypass the hassle of running physical gambling dens, fearing police raids." "It was a live streaming setup, accessible to anyone with an internet connection across Gujarat."

By TBT Web Desk On Jan 22, 2024

App-Based Gamblers Busted in the First Live Gambling Case from Ahmedabad — Representative image

Ahmedabad: In a fresh turn in the war on gambling, the cybercrime squad in Ahmedabad has busted a mobile app-operated scam and reported the first incidence of live internet gambling in the state. An operation in the city’s Madhavpura neighbourhood on Sunday resulted in the arrest of eight people, including the plotter.

According to BD Bhatt, the city’s cybercrime police station’s Inspector, “The accused used this app to bypass the hassle of running physical gambling dens, fearing police raids.” “It was a live streaming setup, accessible to anyone with an internet connection across Gujarat.”

Usmangali is said to be the main player behind the app, thus the police were keeping a tight eye on his operation after receiving a tip. Police discovered a cell phone on a tripod that was live-streaming the gaming scene during the operation.

“Access to the app was limited,” Bhatt said. “The player’s virtual gaming balance was Rs. 10,000, which was also the initial price for accessing Usmangali. Usmangali even deployed his men to personally make wagers on behalf of players for sums above ten thousand, but lesser amounts could be sent electronically.

According to the authorities, this internet approach was a strategy to avoid traditional police raids. Nevertheless, the cyber crime unit’s vigilantness resulted in the effective seizure.

“This marks a significant development in our fight against gambling,” said Bhatt. “The internet opens up new avenues for criminal activity, and we are constantly adapting our strategies to combat these emerging threats.”

We are now conducting an inquiry into the app’s development and user base size. For their roles in running an illicit online gambling network, the people apprehended face charges under the applicable provisions of the Public Gambling Act and the Information Technology Act.

Law enforcement authorities are making their presence felt in the digital arena with this crackdown, which sends a strong message to anyone participating in online gambling.