Winzo Case: ₹505 crore attached in foreign accounts, accused of ₹3,522 crore money laundering
The Enforcement Directorate has attached ₹505 crore in foreign accounts linked to an online gaming company, Winzo Pvt. Ltd., amidst allegations of a ₹3,522 crore money laundering scheme.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has placed a temporary attachment on ₹505 crore found in foreign bank accounts linked to Winzo Pvt. Ltd., an online gaming company. The funds, amounting to approximately $55.69 million, are said to be engaged in a money laundering operation, which the agency claims involves illicit profit-making through the exploitation of artificial intelligence systems instead of actual players in gaming. This makes the case significant, especially considering its implications on online gaming legality in India.
The ED's investigation has focused on accounts located in the United States and Singapore, which reportedly belong to foreign shell companies associated with Winzo. The agency believes that the control and operations of these accounts were managed by key individuals tied to the company, further complicating the legal landscape of the case. As part of the broader investigation into money laundering, the ED has suggested that this incident is connected to a much larger financial misconduct scheme worth ₹3,522 crore, indicating the potential scale of issues within the sector.
Furthermore, this case not only sheds light on the regulatory challenges faced by online gaming entities in India but also sets a critical precedent for future enforcement actions against similar companies. With multiple significant revelations expected as the investigation unfolds, stakeholders in the gaming and financial sectors will be watching closely. The ED’s actions could lead to stricter regulations on online gaming, affecting how such companies operate in the Indian market, and potentially reshaping the competition landscape within this burgeoning industry.