POKHARA: Kaski Police have dismantled a massive illegal online gambling and betting ring operating from a seven-room rented house in Sedi, Pokhara, arresting eight individuals, including seven Indian nationals.

Acting on a secret tip-off, a joint police team raided the property and discovered that the network was operating as the 27th branch of a primary criminal ring based in India, generating daily profits between INR 300,000 and INR 400,000 using rented Indian bank accounts.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Nabin Karki, the group used Telegram and WhatsApp to lure individuals, distribute links, and collect funds for illegal betting on cricket, football, and casino games, accumulating a total transaction volume exceeding Rs 200 million since May.

Seized items

Those arrested include the main operator, 34-year-old Satyam Singh of India, 31-year-old Dinesh Singh Bohora of Darchula, Nepal, alongside Indian nationals Harsh Umrete, Vishal Chaud, Jaman Singh Tamar, Vikran Singh, Ajitesh Kumar Mishra, and Satyam Rajput.

During the operation, police seized a significant cache of electronic equipment, including 7 laptops, 4 mini desktops, 6 monitors, 31 smartphones, 34 active Indian SIM cards, and various power backups.

Kaski Police have kept all suspects in custody as they conduct a thorough investigation into the wider financial network and the cross-border flow of illicit funds.