Kutch: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) announced today that its Mumbai Zonal Office conducted search operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, at eight locations in Mumbai and Kutch, Gujarat, as part of the ongoing probe into the “Fairplay” case, which involves illegal broadcasting of cricket/IPL matches and various online betting activities. During these search operations, carried out on 25.10.2024, movable assets, including cash, bank funds, and silver bars valued at approximately Rs. 4 crore, were seized/frozen, along with other incriminating documents, digital devices, and property-related documents.

The ED initiated its investigation based on an FIR filed by M/s. Viacom18 Media Pvt. Limited with the Nodal Cyber Police, Mumbai, against M/s. Fairplay Sport LLC and others under various sections of the IPC, 1860, Information Technology Act, 2000, and Copyright Act, 1957, for causing a revenue loss of over Rs. 100 crore (proceeds of crime).

The ED’s investigation revealed that Krish Laxmichand Shah, the key person behind Fairplay, registered several companies, including M/s. Play Ventures N.V. and M/s. Dutch Antilles Management N.V. in Curacao, M/s. Fair Play Sport LLC and M/s. Fairplay Management DMCC in Dubai, and M/s. Play Ventures Holding Limited in Malta, for the operation of Fairplay. The investigation further established that Fairplay operates out of Dubai. The search operations targeted individuals providing technical and financial management support to Fairplay. Incriminating documents seized during the search revealed the purchase of high-value immovable and movable assets in India by individuals involved, amounting to over Rs. 100 crore.

Earlier, the ED conducted search operations in this case on 12.06.2024, 27.08.2024, and 27.09.2024, seizing/freezing movable assets valued at approximately Rs. 113 crore, along with various other incriminating documents and digital devices. The total assets seized in this case to date amount to approximately Rs. 117 crore. DeshGujarat