Nagpur: In a startling development, investigators have revealed potential links between fugitive fraudster Ananth, also known as Sontu Navratan Jain, and key members of the notorious Dawood gang operating out of Dubai. This revelation comes in the wake of an extension of Sontu’s tourist visa, despite the issuance of a Look Out Circular (LOC) by the Indian Government, said a report in a local English daily.
According to high-ranking police officials, Sontu has been orchestrating a sprawling illegal online enterprise from his base in Dubai, boasting opulent office facilities and a sizeable workforce. The investigation indicates that numerous other fraudsters have established similar illicit ventures within Dubai, allegedly receiving support from Naved, a close associate of the Dawood Ibrahim gang.
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Tuesday 28 Jan. 2025
Recent media reports suggest that over the past half-decade, the Dawood Ibrahim network has diversified into online gambling operations, with Naved emerging as a central figure in these endeavors. Allegedly, a software firm linked to Naved is responsible for developing the online gaming software and managing overseas servers. This intricate setup has posed formidable challenges for law enforcement agencies attempting to trace the locations of these servers and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Reports assert that members of the Dawood gang have been providing assistance to these illegal business operators. Notably, during a raid on Sontu’s residence in Gondia on July 22, authorities confiscated a staggering Rs 17 crore in cash, 14 kg of gold, and 294 kg of silver, amounting to a total value of Rs 27 crore. Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of an additional Rs 85 lakh in cash and gold exceeding Rs 4.5 crore, stored in lockers owned by Sontu Jain and his family members.
The unfolding investigation has shed light on the intricate web of connections between organized crime and financial fraud, with implications spanning multiple jurisdictions. Authorities are intensifying efforts to apprehend Sontu Jain and his associates, while also seeking to dismantle the illicit operations facilitated by the alliance between fraudulent enterprises and criminal networks.
It has been revealed that Sontu operated an illegal online gaming platform under the guise of ‘DiamondExchange.com.’ The platform allegedly manipulated unsuspecting victims into engaging in various gambling activities, such as Rummy and Teen Patti, leading to significant financial losses for many. The investigation into this on-line gaming fraud case started when a Nagpur-based businessman approached the police, claiming to have been duped of Rs 58 crore by Sontu’s gaming platform. He alleged that the results were manipulated, leading to substantial financial losses. When the victim demanded his money back, Sontu not only refused but also issued threats.
