ED Freezes ₹520 Cr in RMG Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen assets worth more than ₹520 crore after conducting extensive search operations across Delhi, Gurugram, and Bengaluru between November 18 and 22.

These actions were taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and form part of two major investigations into alleged fraud in the real-money gaming (RMG) sector.

The first and larger case targets WinZO Games Pvt Ltd, where the ED has frozen ₹505 crore held in bank accounts, deposits, mutual funds, and bonds.

The probe began after multiple FIRs accused WinZO of cheating users, blocking accounts, misusing KYC details, impersonation, and enabling unauthorized withdrawals.

Investigators allege that the company continued offering RMG services abroad—including in the US, Brazil, and Germany—even after India imposed a national ban on such games on August 22, 2025.

They further claim that ₹43 crore in user funds remains unrefunded and that algorithm-driven gameplay misled users into believing they were competing against real players.

The ED also stated that funds were diverted overseas, including $55 million (₹490 crore) traced to an account in the United States.

WinZO has said it is cooperating fully with authorities and remains committed to compliance, transparency, and user safety.

The second case involves Pocket52 (Nirdesa Networks) and Gameskraft Technologies, where FIRs allege manipulated game outcomes, player collusion, technical glitches, and withheld withdrawals.

Here, user losses exceeded ₹3 crore, prompting the ED to freeze ₹18.57 crore across eight bank accounts, as the broader investigation into fund diversion and fraud networks continues.