Man loses Rs 58 cr in online gambling, cops seize Rs 17 cr and 14 kg of gold from accused's house
Nagpur (PTI): A businessman from Nagpur lost a staggering Rs 58 crore in online gambling and the investigation led to the recovery of Rs 17 crore in cash besides 14 kg of gold from the house of the person who allegedly duped him, police said here on Saturday.
Anant alias Sontu Navratan Jain, the alleged `bookie' who had created the online gaming platform, is suspected to have fled to Dubai a day before the raid at his residence in Gondia city, 160 km from Nagpur.
"Jain apparently convinced the complainant -- a businessman -- to explore online gambling as a lucrative avenue of earning money.
Initially hesitant, the businessman succumbed to Jain's persuasion and transferred Rs 8 lakh through a hawala agent," said Nagpur police commissioner Amitesh Kumar.
Jain provided the businessman a link on WhatsApp to open an online gambling account. The businessman found Rs 8 lakh deposited in the account and began gambling, Kumar said.
"After initial success, the businessman's fortunes took a drastic downturn as he lost a whopping Rs 58 crore while winning only around Rs 5 crore," the police commissioner said.
The businessman then grew suspicious as he was mostly losing and demanded his money back, but Jain refused.
"The businessman lodged a complaint with the cyber police, leading to the registration of a case of fraud under the Indian Penal Code.
Police raided Jain's residence in Gondia today," the commissioner said.
They recovered Rs 17 crore in cash, 14 kg of gold in the form of gold biscuits and jewellery and 200 kg of silver at the house.
Jain, however, gave the police the slip. It is suspected that he has escaped to Dubai, the official said, adding that the total value of the seized assets was yet to be ascertained.
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Three footballers of Indian origin named in squads for FIFA World Cup 2026
New Delhi: Three footballers of Indian origin have been named in preliminary or final squads for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
According to a report published by Mathrubhumi, Sarpreet Singh was included in the New Zealand national football team squad which was announced on Wednesday.
Born in Auckland to Indian parents, Singh was eligible to represent India through his family roots but chose to play for New Zealand. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder made his senior international debut in 2018 and has since become a regular member of the national side.
Singh has made 26 appearances for New Zealand and has scored three goals while providing seven assists.
Julen Lopetegui has included two players of Indian origin: Niall Mason and Tahsin Mohammed, in Qatar’s selections for the tournament.
Mason, a defender whose mother is Indian, previously trained in the youth academies of Real Madrid, Southampton FC and Aston Villa FC. Although he received his first senior call-up earlier this year, the Qatar defender is yet to make his senior international debut.
Tahsin Mohammed, 19, was born to parents from Kerala’s Kannur district. His father Jamshid is from Thalassery, while his mother Shaima belongs to Valapattanam. The winger became the first player of Indian origin to feature in the Qatar Stars League, Qatar’s premier domestic football competition.
Mohammed has made two appearances for the senior Qatar side, including in a World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in June 2024.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada.
