On 21.09.2023, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) filed a Prosecution Complaint under the PMLA, 2002 against against M/s Met Technologies Pvt Ltd, M/s Future Gaming & Hotel Services Private Limited (FGHSPL) and 14 other entities before the Hon’ble Special PMLA Court in Kolkata. The Prosecution Complaint has been heard by the Hon’ble Court.
The ED launched an inquiry based on FIRs filed by the Kolkata Police against M/s Met Technologies Pvt Ltd, and other firms under different sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Lotteries Regulation Act, 1998. The accused were discovered marketing lotteries organised by the states of Sikkim and Nagaland throughout India, including West Bengal.
According to an ED investigation, M/s Future Gaming & Hotel Services Private Limited (FGHSPL) entered into agreements with various state governments to sell state-organised lotteries throughout India, but they allegedly cheated the lottery issuing State Governments by not depositing the entire sale proceeds generated from the sale of lotteries.
The method also involves illegally holding unsold lottery tickets, claiming wins on unsold lotteries, and altering data to present unsold prize-winning tickets as sold and claiming awards on same, all of which are in violation of the Lottery Regulation Act, 1998.
During the ED investigation, proceeds of crime of Rs. 411 crore were attached/frozen in the accused people’s bank accounts by attachment order dated 31.03.2022. On September 22, 2022, the Adjudicating Authority, PMLA, New Delhi, affirmed the attachment/freezing order. More research is being conducted.
