The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has made the first arrest in the Mahadev betting app fraud case, estimated to be worth a staggering ₹15,000 crore. The arrested individual has been identified as Dixit Kothari, reported Free Press Journal.

The case was initially registered by the Matunga police in November last year, following court orders. Subsequently, the matter was transferred to the Crime Branch, leading to the formation of a dedicated SIT to conduct a thorough investigation. The FIR named over 30 individuals involved in the alleged scam.

Dixit Kothari, described as a key player in the fraud, allegedly played a crucial role in the operation of the Mahadev app. According to the SIT, the domain of the app’s website was linked to Kothari’s email address, and he had been responsible for paying maintenance charges amounting to Rs 20 lakh for the past two years.

The Cyber Cell of the Crime Branch is actively probing the Mahadev Betting App case, with a specially appointed SIT comprising three officers. The investigators face the monumental task of scrutinising over 900 bank accounts connected to the scam. Presently, 139 of these accounts are under active investigation, with 57 of them already blocked. These actions were taken in response to complaints received on the cyber helpline number 1930.

In a parallel development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a supplementary charge sheet in the Mahadev App case in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on January 1, 2024. The extensive 1,800-page document now includes the names of five new accused individuals, namely suspended constable Bhim Singh Yadav, cash courier Aseem Das, Shubham Soni (who claims to be the promoter of Mahadev App), Anil Aggarwal, and Rohit Gulati. The ED’s involvement adds another layer to the ongoing investigation, signalling a multi-agency effort to unravel the complexities of the Mahadev betting app scam.