New Delhi, Nov 24 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) Bengaluru Zonal Office today stated that it recently conducted search operations at various locations across Bengaluru and Gurugram.
The raids targeted the offices of Nirdesa Networks Pvt. Ltd. (NNPL) and Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (GTPL), as well as the residential premises of their directors and other accused persons.
The ED initiated its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on an FIR (first information report) registered by the Karnataka Police.
The FIR alleged that Pocket52, a gaming platform operated by Nirdesa Networks Pvt. Ltd., allegedly committed large-scale fraud through manipulated game outcomes, player collusion, technical glitches, withdrawal restrictions, and a lack of transparency.
The complainant reported a loss of over Rs 3 crore due to systemic cheating, alleging that Pocket52 dismissed user concerns, removed features like hand history, and ignored responsible gaming practices. Authorities and users claim the platform rigged its algorithms and promoted unfair play. The leadership of Pocket52 and its parent company were named in the FIR and are under ongoing investigation for cheating and regulatory violations.
An official stated, “During the investigation and search proceedings, it was found that many users had raised complaints and concerns over manipulation and a lack of transparency. The company intentionally exploited users and failed to compensate them for their losses. Accordingly, incriminating devices such as mobile phones and laptops have been seized from the directors and founders, and voluminous data backups have been taken from the premises of Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd.”
The official further said, “Even after the ban on Real Money Games by the union Government of India through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROG Act), enacted on August 22, 2025, an amount of more than Rs 30 crore is still held by the company in its escrow accounts without being refunded to the gamers.”
Furthermore, eight bank accounts used as escrow accounts for payouts, with a balance of approximately Rs 18.57 crore, have been frozen. The ED suspects that proceeds of crime have been parked in these accounts by the accused entities, including NNPL and Pocket52.
The action was taken under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA, 2002.
Further investigation is ongoing.
