Vasai police bust online betting racket run from Goa, nine arrested so far
Police say an inter-state gang ran illegal betting on cricket, football and online gaming using ordinary people's bank accounts; six were caught red-handed in North Goa.
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Vasai police have busted an inter-state gang that ran illegal betting in the name of cricket, football and online gaming. Police allege the gang was misusing the bank accounts of ordinary people. The action was carried out by Crime Detection Unit-2 (Vasai).
According to police, the racket was running online betting on the Asia Cup 2026 final between India and Pakistan. Its links led directly to Goa, from where its masterminds were caught. A total of nine accused have been arrested so far. Police have seized electronic goods worth about Rs 10 lakh, laptops, 63 mobile phones and material linked to a dozen bank accounts.
The case began with a flat in Suntech Hill View-1 society in Naigaon East. Police had received a tip-off that online betting was being run from the flat. Police raided the place and detained the main accused, Furqan Ahmed Jasimuddin Ansari (21). Goods worth Rs 5.75 lakh were seized from the spot and a case was registered at Naigaon police station.
The investigation revealed that the accused were running bets on cricket, rummy and football through panels named "Ready Book" and "Ready 66". Police said people were misled and SIM cards and bank accounts were opened in their names. These accounts were being used for money transfers like "mule accounts".
Police then traced Indian and international mobile numbers through technical analysis. While live betting was under way on an online book panel during the final match, police raided Porvorim in North Goa. Six people were caught red-handed there. They are Nitin Makhijani (45), Karan Tanwani (21), Deepak Batra (26), Hritik Khubchandani (26), Rakesh Wadhwani (30) and Mohit Popatani (24).
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Niket Kaushik, Additional Police Commissioner Sanjay Shintre, Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Doifode and Assistant Commissioner of Police Gondooram Bangar. Senior Police Inspector Nitin Patil, Police Inspector Aviraj Kurade, Assistant Police Inspector Sunil Pawar, and Sub-Inspectors Ajit Gite and Santosh Ghadge of Crime Detection Unit-2, along with the whole team, carried it out.
