New Delhi, November 29, 2025 – In a startling revelation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has linked a Delhi-based bike-taxi driver to over ₹331 crore in suspicious transactions tied to the illegal betting platform 1xBet. The discovery, which underscores the complexities of financial crime networks in India, came during a detailed probe into money-laundering activities associated with the unregulated betting operation.

Officials said the agency first came across the driver while conducting a financial analysis of accounts flagged for irregular transactions. Between August 19, 2024, and April 16, 2025, the driver’s bank account received deposits amounting to ₹331.36 crore, according to a report by news agency PTI. Investigators believe the account was used as a “mule” account—a front for moving illegal funds using either fake identification or hired KYC details—allowing the operators of the betting platform to launder money through seemingly legitimate channels.

The probe took a surprising turn when ED teams raided the address linked to the driver’s bank records. Investigators found him living in a modest two-room house in Delhi, earning a daily income through a popular bike-taxi application. The stark contrast between the scale of funds flowing through his account and his modest lifestyle suggested the driver had little or no direct involvement in managing or controlling the money. A formal response from the ride-hailing company is awaited regarding his employment details and any due diligence conducted at the time of onboarding.

During the investigation, officials discovered that over ₹1 crore from the deposits had been spent on a high-end destination wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The wedding was hosted at a luxury hotel and is reportedly linked to a young politician from Gujarat, who may be summoned by investigators for questioning in the coming weeks. The extravagant expenditure in Udaipur stood out as an anomaly given the driver’s modest lifestyle, raising suspicions about the source of funds and the network behind the transactions.

According to ED officials, the bike-taxi driver claimed he had no knowledge of the transactions or the people involved in the wedding. They noted that the account received funds from multiple unidentified sources, many of which were quickly transferred to other accounts flagged for suspicious activity. One of these sources has been traced to illegal betting operations associated with 1xBet, which is reportedly operating without proper licenses in India and across other jurisdictions.

The Enforcement Directorate is now examining additional fund flows linked to the account, seeking to trace the broader network of illegal financial transactions. Investigators are working to identify individuals and entities that may have benefited from these funds, as well as any political or commercial connections that could provide insight into the scale and organization of the laundering operation.

The case is part of a wider ED probe into the 1xBet network, which has already led to the attachment of assets belonging to former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina. The agency alleges that these high-profile accounts were used to facilitate money-laundering operations, highlighting the extent to which the illegal betting platform has infiltrated various sectors and leveraged prominent figures to move funds. The involvement of celebrities and politically connected individuals in such operations underscores the sophisticated nature of the network and its potential reach across states and industries.

Financial experts analyzing the case note that the use of a seemingly ordinary individual—a bike-taxi driver in this instance—illustrates a common strategy in money laundering, where illicit funds are routed through unsuspecting or peripheral participants to obscure the true source and ownership of the money. By using a “mule” account, the perpetrators are able to distance themselves from direct culpability, complicating enforcement and investigative efforts.

Officials are also probing the operational mechanisms of the 1xBet network in India, including the recruitment of intermediaries, the use of online platforms for fund transfers, and the methods employed to launder proceeds through legitimate-looking channels. The transactions through the driver’s account are part of a complex web, involving multiple accounts, rapid fund movements, and integration into high-value expenditures, such as the Udaipur wedding. Investigators are mapping these transactions to understand the network’s structure and identify key operatives behind the scheme.

The ED has emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that additional measures, including summons, asset attachments, and examination of digital trails, are expected in the coming weeks. Officials stressed that the probe aims not only to recover illicit funds but also to dismantle the operational network facilitating illegal betting and money laundering.

The Udaipur wedding, which reportedly cost over ₹1 crore, has attracted particular scrutiny due to its ostentatious scale and apparent funding from dubious sources. While the driver denied knowledge of the funds, investigators are examining whether any political or social connections played a role in facilitating the lavish event. Sources suggest that individuals linked to the wedding may be called in for questioning to determine their role in the movement of funds and to establish a clearer picture of the money-laundering network.

The investigation into the 1xBet operations highlights broader concerns over illegal online betting in India, where unregulated platforms have proliferated, targeting users across multiple states. Despite repeated regulatory warnings, such operations continue to operate, often using complex financial structures to conceal their earnings and move funds across borders. Enforcement agencies have increasingly focused on identifying intermediaries, monitoring high-value transactions, and tracing the flow of illicit funds through banking channels to address these challenges.

This case also underscores the importance of robust KYC (Know Your Customer) and monitoring mechanisms within financial institutions. Investigators have pointed out that accounts used as “mules” are often opened with minimal verification, allowing illegal operators to leverage unsuspecting individuals to move funds on a large scale. Strengthening KYC compliance and transaction monitoring is seen as a critical step in preventing similar incidents in the future.

The ED’s probe is likely to have far-reaching implications, as it could lead to additional scrutiny of individuals, entities, and high-value transactions linked to 1xBet and other unregulated betting platforms. Authorities are coordinating with banking institutions, fintech platforms, and digital payment providers to trace the flow of money and prevent further laundering activities. Analysts suggest that the outcome of this investigation could also inform future policy measures aimed at curbing illegal online betting and reinforcing financial oversight mechanisms.

In conclusion, the Enforcement Directorate’s revelation of ₹331 crore moving through a Delhi bike-taxi driver’s account as part of a 1xBet money-laundering network highlights the scale and sophistication of illegal financial operations in India. The connection to a lavish Udaipur wedding, potential political links, and the involvement of high-profile individuals underscores the complex web of money movement designed to obscure the origin of illicit funds. As the investigation continues, authorities aim to recover the funds, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen regulatory oversight to prevent the recurrence of such large-scale financial crimes. The case serves as a reminder of the evolving challenges in policing digital financial networks and the necessity of vigilant monitoring and enforcement in the age of online betting and fast-moving financial transactions.