Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Mumbai has provisionally attached assets valued at Rs 4.62 crore as part of its ongoing investigation into Fairplay's alleged engagement in illegal broadcasting of cricket and IPL matches, alongside online betting activities.
The agency stated on Thursday that the seizure was made under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The seized movable assets are in the form of a luxury Audi Q8,Demat account holding and investments in mutual funds.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by M/s. Viacom18 Media Pvt Limited with Nodal Cyber Police, Mumbai. The FIR accused M/s Fairplay Sport LLC and others of violating sections of the IPC, Information Technology Act, and Copyright Act, resulting in revenue losses exceeding Rs 100 crore.
The ED identified Krish Laxmichand Shah as the alleged mastermind behind Fairplay. Operating from Dubai, Shah has allegedly registered multiple 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.
The investigation revealed that Shah, along with associates Chirag Shah and Chintan Shah, allegedly managed the technological and software development operations of Fairplay. The group allegedly used proceeds of crime to acquire various movable and immovable assets, registering them either in their names or under the names of family members and associates.
Previously, the ED conducted searches on four occasions, seizing incriminating documents, digital devices, and movable assets. To date, the agency has attached assets worth approximately Rs 335.78 crore in connection with this case.
