SOT Malkajgiri busts WhatsApp-based horse betting racket, arrests four
Hyderabad: The Special Operations Team (SOT) of Malkajgiri, in a joint operation with Jawahar Nagar Police, cracked down on an illegal horse betting racket operated through WhatsApp and arrested four individuals involved in the scam.
The accused have been identified as Thokala Nagesh (bookie), along with three punters, Borra Venkaiah Chowdhary, Challa Ramesh Babu, and D. Sunil. Police are also investigating the roles of two other suspects, M. Rajesh Kumar and Venkat Chowdary, who are yet to be questioned.
During the raid, authorities seized Rs 2 lakh in cash and froze Rs 2.47 lakh in two bank accounts linked to the illegal operation.
Modus Operandi
The prime accused, Nagesh, a native of Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), is a graduate from Mahaveer College, Nagarjuna University. After working at Laptop services company in Chennai, he became addicted to horse betting.
Accprding to the police, in 2020, due to financial struggles and health issues, he moved to Hyderabad and partnered with Rajesh Kumar (Malakpet) and Venkat Chowdary (Vijayawada) to run the betting racket. Later, he branched out independently, operating from rented houses across the city.
In 2024, Nagesh set up a gaming house in Tirumala Enclave, Dammaiguda, and created a WhatsApp group named “Shinewell Enterprises”, adding 105 members nationwide, including 20 from Hyderabad and Secunderabad said the statement released by Rachakonda police.
Investigation revealed the accused promising high returns lured victims into investing in illegal horse betting. Rachakonda police uncovered transactions worth Rs 8.34 crore in his bank accounts linked to the racket.
Appeal to the Public
Rachakonda police hereby appeals to all the public/Society not to involve in betting activities which will ruin their lives and land them in debts. It is requested to inform Police about the illegal activities taking place in their area and feel the responsibility of building a healthy society.
It is also instructed to all the public at large and be aware of that betting in any means is a crime and punishable with imprisonment and also liable for fine.
