ED attaches Probo’s ₹117-crore assets for allowing online gambling
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a significant step in its ongoing crackdown on online gambling platforms, attaching assets worth ₹117.41 crore belonging to Probo Media Technologies. This move is part of the ED’s money laundering probe into Probo’s activities, which allegedly involved cheating customers by facilitating online gambling under the guise of online gaming.
According to the ED’s Gurugram Zonal Office, the attached assets include both movable and immovable properties, totaling ₹117.41 crore. This attachment is a major development in the case, as it highlights the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the issue of online gambling. The ED’s investigation had earlier revealed that Probo was involved in cheating its customers by allowing online gambling on its platform, which was disguised as online gaming.
The case against Probo began when the ED launched an investigation into the company’s activities, following complaints from customers who had been cheated. The probe found that Probo had been operating an online gaming platform that allowed users to participate in games of chance, which is essentially a form of gambling. However, Probo had been presenting its platform as a legitimate online gaming platform, which is allowed under Indian law.
The ED’s investigation revealed that Probo had been using its platform to cheat customers, by manipulating the games and ensuring that the house always won. This meant that customers were losing large sums of money, which were then being laundered by Probo. The company had been using various methods to launder the money, including transferring it to offshore accounts and investing it in immovable properties.
In August, Probo had shut down its platform, following the introduction of a new online gaming law by the government. The law regulates online gaming platforms and requires them to adhere to certain guidelines, including ensuring that games are fair and transparent. However, by the time the law was introduced, Probo had already amassed a large sum of money through its cheating activities, which is now being attached by the ED.
The attachment of Probo’s assets is a significant development in the case, as it sends a strong message to other online gaming platforms that may be involved in similar activities. The ED’s action is also a warning to customers who may be tempted to participate in online gambling, as it highlights the risks involved and the consequences of getting caught.
The ED’s investigation into Probo’s activities is ongoing, and it is likely that more developments will emerge in the coming days. The agency is also likely to take action against other online gaming platforms that may be involved in similar activities, as part of its broader crackdown on online gambling.
In recent years, online gaming has become a major industry in India, with millions of users participating in various games and platforms. However, the industry has also been plagued by issues of cheating and fraud, with many platforms being used as a front for online gambling. The government’s introduction of the online gaming law is aimed at regulating the industry and ensuring that platforms operate fairly and transparently.
The ED’s action against Probo is a significant step in this direction, as it highlights the importance of adhering to the law and ensuring that customers are protected. The attachment of Probo’s assets is also a warning to other platforms that may be involved in similar activities, as it shows that the authorities are serious about taking action against those who flout the law.
In conclusion, the ED’s attachment of Probo’s assets is a major development in the case, as it highlights the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the issue of online gambling. The action is a warning to other online gaming platforms that may be involved in similar activities, and it sends a strong message to customers who may be tempted to participate in online gambling. As the investigation into Probo’s activities continues, it is likely that more developments will emerge, and the ED’s action will serve as a deterrent to others who may be involved in similar activities.
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