Ahmedabad Crime Branch officers, on Saturday, announced the busting of a racket worth Rs 1,414 crore in connection with an international cricket betting syndicate.

Thereon, a complaint was filed for cheating and forgery against five persons including a bookie from Rajkot, who was earlier accused in a 2018 IPL betting racket by Thane Police.

According to the complaint, hawala money had been moved using 11 accounts between April 2022 and September 2022. The hawala transactions were “supervised” by Rajkot-based bookie, Rakesh Rajdev, who police say shifted base to Dubai in 2009. A top crime branch official added that even as more than 20 bank accounts are still to be scanned, the amount involved in the racket is expected to cross Rs 5,000 crore. 

The ED has informally joined the probe. Sources in the city crime branch shared that four of the five accused, including kingpin Rakesh Rajdev alias RR, are living an extravagant life in Dubai, with a stand-by address ready in London too. 

According to highly-placed sources, RR, has an enviable fleet of cars, including a Bugatti Chiron and BMW X5. He lives in a sprawling mansion, replete with a swimming pool, indoor gym and is reported to move around with molls. He is also believed to be in touch with D-Gang and chances 

RR’s right-hand, Khanna, and aides Ashiq Patel and Kamlesh Patel, all from Ahmedabad, are reported to be living equally lavishly in the desert state. 

“They are slowly shifting their base to London to give their betting syndicate legal legitimacy. We have information that they have bought property in London. Details about their property and investment in London are being sought from the UK authorities,” a senior official said.

Talking about RR, originally from Bhambhar in Banaskantha having later shifted base to Rajkot, a crime branch official reported RR first started gambling in Worli Matka in 2001. “He then moderated bets on cricket matches played across the globe. After the shift to Dubai along with others in 2009, he launched a betting app. Since then, RR and his aides Khanna, Ashiq, Kamlesh and one Harikesh from Shahibaug have been minting money,” a crime branch official said.

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