Nagpur: The ongoing investigation into a multi-crore online gaming fraud has taken a new twist, revealing two significant land deals worth Rs 70 crore involving fugitive fraudster Ananth, also known as Sontu Navratan Jain. The transactions involve five prominent businessmen from Gondia, shedding light on the intricate financial web woven by the alleged mastermind.
According to police, Sontu had orchestrated a land deal encompassing more than 1.50 lakh square feet along a major highway, striking an agreement with a Gondia-based businessman. The deal was set at a staggering rate exceeding Rs 1,800 per square foot, and an advance payment of over Rs 32 crore had been transferred to the businessmen by Sontu.
Furthermore, the investigation uncovered another land deal involving Sontu and a consortium of four businessmen from Gondia. This quartet had initially procured a land parcel spanning over 70,000 square feet from another businessman, subsequently transferring ownership to Sontu at a rate of Rs 4,000 per square foot. Sontu’s financial dealings with these businessmen amounted to a substantial sum of over Rs 18 crore.
The police further said that pertinent documents pertaining to these land transactions were seized during a raid conducted at Sontu’s residence in Gondia. Since the police operation, the five businessmen implicated in the deals have evaded authorities and gone into hiding. Despite police-issued notices, their cooperation with the ongoing inquiry remains elusive.
It is noteworthy that during the initial raid on Sontu’s Gondia residence on July 22, law enforcement seized a staggering haul of assets, including Rs 17 crore in cash, 14 kg of gold, and 294 kg of silver, with a combined valuation of Rs 27 crore. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of an additional Rs 85 lakh in cash and gold worth over Rs 4.5 crore stored within the lockers belonging to Sontu Jain and his family members.
The investigation has unveiled a more sinister layer to Sontu’s alleged criminal enterprise. Authorities have revealed that Sontu operated an illicit online gaming platform masquerading as “DiamondExchange.com.” The platform reportedly manipulated unsuspecting participants, enticing them into various gambling activities, including games like Rummy and Teen Patti. These manipulations led to substantial financial losses for numerous victims.
The genesis of the online gaming fraud investigation traces back to a Nagpur-based businessman who approached the police after reportedly being defrauded of a staggering Rs 58 crore by Sontu’s gaming platform. The complainant alleged that the platform’s operations were deceitful, resulting in significant financial setbacks.
