Introduction

In December 2022, the Jabalpur police uncovered a complex financial network allegedly linked to an overseas cricket-betting operation run by Satish Sanpal. Local news reports stated that investigators discovered transactions worth thousands of crores of rupees routed through 13 bogus companies, all of which existed only on paper. The revelations emerged during raids, interrogation of associates, and examination of documents seized from multiple locations across the city.

This case, involving alleged money laundering, shell companies, and betting revenues tracked from abroad, added to a growing list of high-profile investigations into illegal online betting networks operating in India. The figures were staggering, the companies suspicious, and the method of operation unusually elaborate. What began as a routine raid soon escalated into one of the largest alleged betting-linked financial investigations in the region.

The following article reconstructs—and expands upon—the events reported by police and local media. It explores how the alleged network operated, the roles played by various individuals, the discoveries made during police interrogations, and the larger implications of such offshore-operated betting systems. While the judicial process will ultimately decide guilt or innocence, the investigation offers a revealing look into how illegal financial networks can function behind layers of fabricated corporate identities.

---

The Discovery: Thirteen Fake Companies and Crores in Transactions

According to police sources and published reports, Satish Sanpal, who allegedly operated a cricket-betting network from abroad, is believed to have routed thousands of crores of rupees through 13 shell companies. These companies, investigators reportedly found, existed only on paper—lacking physical offices, real staff, or operational activity. Their sole purpose, according to the police, was to move betting proceeds through financial systems and disguise their origin.

The companies were allegedly opened using fabricated documents, nominee owners, or individuals who had little to no knowledge of the nature of the transactions being carried out under their names. The goal, investigators stated, was to make illegal proceeds appear legitimate by depositing them into corporate accounts and dispersing them through routine banking channels.

During interrogation, several individuals revealed that the companies did not conduct real business. They did not file income-tax returns, pay GST, or maintain genuine business records. Their only function, according to police, was to receive and disperse funds tied to cricket betting collections.

One of the most significant arrests was that of Manoj Sanpal, Satish’s uncle, who was placed on police remand for questioning. His interrogation reportedly played a key role in revealing the structure of the network, the creation of bogus companies, and the flow of money from betting operations conducted abroad.

---

How the Bogus Companies Were Created

According to the investigation, the 13 fake companies were opened using systematic and repetitive methods. Police reports suggested that individuals such as Manoj Sanpal and the absconding Vivek Pandey were responsible for visiting banks and creating new business accounts under fabricated entities.

The companies existed only in documents—sometimes using unwitting individuals’ names to mask the involvement of the alleged operators. For example, one company, Washet Service (OPC) Private Limited, was reportedly opened in the name of Pramod Rajak, the brother of accused Deepak Rajak. The investigation suggested that Pramod may not have been directly involved, but his identity was used to set up a front company.

Accounts were allegedly opened in several major private sector banks, including:

• Axis Bank
• Yes Bank
• HDFC Bank
• ICICI Bank

The repeated use of multiple banks indicated an attempt to diversify transactions and avoid detection. Investigators believe these accounts received betting proceeds, often in large volumes, before the funds were redistributed or withdrawn.

The involvement of multiple individuals suggests a coordinated effort to keep the operation functioning smoothly. Police noted that income tax was not paid by any of the companies, reinforcing their suspicion that the entities were created solely for the purpose of money movement rather than legitimate business.

---

The Raid at RK Tower: A Major Breakthrough

The turning point in the investigation occurred on May 19, when a police team raided Chambers 203 and 204 of RK Tower in Wright Town, Jabalpur. This was a significant operation triggered by surveillance and information indicating that individuals connected to the betting network frequently met at the location.

When officers entered the chambers, they reportedly found Manoj Sanpal and Deepak Rajak present. Their initial statements, combined with documents seized at the site, provided crucial leads. According to the police, Manoj and Deepak disclosed that two individuals—Amit Sharma and Vivek Pandey—were based in Dubai and were responsible for tracking betting proceeds flowing from the IPL season.

These proceeds were reportedly linked to the activities of Satish Sanpal and his close associate Azam, both of whom were said to be coordinating operations from abroad. While Satish Sanpal was identified in media reports as the primary figure behind the operation, Azam’s exact role was described as assisting in tracking and coordinating money transfers.

---

Items Seized During the Raid

The RK Tower raid yielded substantial physical evidence, including financial documents, company materials, and banking instruments. Among the items seized were:

• ₹21,55,600 in cash
• 27 company seals belonging to multiple entities
• Three loan books
• 34 checkbooks across various companies and banks
• Property documents
• A notepad containing handwritten entries

Each item served as a potential puzzle piece, helping investigators trace how the alleged money-laundering and betting network functioned. The presence of numerous company seals indicated the creation of multiple business identities. Checkbooks suggested that the accounts were actively used, possibly to move or withdraw funds rapidly.

Police stated that the detailed notes and documents found during the raid provided a roadmap to understanding how transactions were recorded, who issued instructions, and which accounts were used most frequently.

---

The Role of Dubai-Based Operators

One of the notable aspects of the case was the alleged involvement of Dubai-based individuals. According to statements gathered during interrogation, Amit Sharma and Vivek Pandey monitored betting proceeds from abroad.

This aligns with a broader pattern seen in recent betting-related cases, where the operational command is often offshore, while local associates handle cash deposits, withdrawals, and creation of shell companies. Using overseas hubs allows operators to avoid direct exposure to Indian law-enforcement agencies while continuing to run betting websites or channels targeting Indian audiences.

In the Sanpal case, Dubai reportedly served as the coordination center. Communication between local associates and offshore handlers was likely done through encrypted messaging applications, an approach frequently seen in illegal online betting networks. Police believed that the funds routed through bogus companies represented only a portion of a much larger international operation.

---

Uncovering the Money Trail

The sheer volume of transactions—described as “thousands of crores”—raised questions about how such a large flow of funds went undetected. According to investigators, the network exploited multiple loopholes:

1. Use of Shell Companies

The creation of 13 paper-only companies allowed money to be moved under the guise of business transactions. These companies acted as buffers, masking the real source of funds.

2. Multiple Bank Accounts

Using accounts across several private banks prevented concentration in a single institution and reduced the risk of immediate red flags.

3. Unwitting or Nominee Owners

Some companies were opened in the names of individuals who were not central to the operation, making detection even more difficult.

4. High-Volume, Low-Visibility Transactions

Betting-related transactions were reportedly broken down into smaller units to avoid automatic suspicious activity alerts.

5. Offshore Coordination

With key individuals operating from abroad, the financial decision-making was physically and legally distant from the flow of money on the ground.

Together, these methods created a network that appeared complex enough to temporarily evade detection but collapsed once investigators began tracing documents and banking records.

---

Interrogation of Manoj Sanpal and Its Importance

The police placed Manoj Sanpal on a three-day remand, during which he reportedly provided crucial details about how the companies were formed, who opened the accounts, and how money was circulated.

According to media reports, Manoj revealed that:

• The companies were set up under instructions from Satish Sanpal.
• Bank accounts were opened using either forged documents or nominees.
• Funds deposited into the accounts represented betting collections.
• Income tax filings were intentionally avoided to keep the companies under the radar.

His statements, combined with seized documents, allowed investigators to link the fake companies to betting earnings tracked from Dubai.

---

Amit Sharma and Vivek Pandey: Key Offshore Figures

Although not present in India, the roles of Amit Sharma and Vivek Pandey emerged as significant. Accused of handling data and financial updates from Dubai, the pair were said to be responsible for tracking daily inputs and outputs of betting funds.

Their alleged involvement reflected a structure where the hierarchy placed offshore individuals at the top, handling strategy and financial monitoring, while local associates focused on operational tasks such as withdrawing funds, opening accounts, and creating shell entities.

According to the FIR, Amit, Vivek, Satish, and others were booked under various legal sections related to cheating, criminal conspiracy, and unlawful financial activity.

---

How Illegal Betting Networks Use Fake Companies

The Sanpal investigation highlighted broader methods commonly used by betting rackets:

Layering of Funds

Money is moved through layers of companies to obscure its true source.

Integration

Eventually, the funds reenter the legitimate economy through investments, purchases, or business accounts.

Front Men and Identity Borrowing

Individuals who may not even understand the full scope of operations are used as nominal directors.

Cash-Based Deposits

Large amounts of cash collected from local bettors are deposited into corporate accounts rather than personal ones to reduce suspicion.

The Sanpal case, based on statements and investigations, appeared to employ all these methods.

---

The Broader Impact on Jabalpur and Beyond

The revelations deeply concerned local authorities, as it demonstrated how large volumes of cash could circulate within the city through seemingly legitimate channels without immediate detection. The case also highlighted the influence of offshore-operated betting networks and their ability to infiltrate local economies.

For financial regulators, the case raised important questions:

• How did multiple banks open accounts for fabricated companies without red flags?
• Why did non-filing of income tax for multiple companies not trigger scrutiny?
• How did transactions reportedly worth thousands of crores escape early detection?

For law enforcement, the case underscored the need to track digital communication, cross-border financial movement, and local assistants who help international operators conduct illegal activities.

---

Conclusion

The investigation into Satish Sanpal and his associates revealed a complex network of alleged offshore betting operations, bogus companies, and large-scale financial movement. According to the police and media reports, 13 shell companies were created to funnel betting proceeds, with transactions allegedly reaching thousands of crores. The discovery of documents, bank materials, and cash during the RK Tower raid provided critical evidence that helped dismantle the network’s local infrastructure.

While the final legal outcome will depend on the courts, the case highlighted the sophisticated methods used to disguise illegal income and the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking cross-border betting networks. It also emphasized the need for stronger oversight, stricter financial compliance systems, and better coordination between agencies.

Ultimately, the Jabalpur investigation stands as a detailed example of how illegal betting operations can intertwine with financial fraud, local networks, and offshore control—revealing the broader risks such activities pose toIntroduction

In December 2022, the Jabalpur police uncovered a complex financial network allegedly linked to an overseas cricket-betting operation run by Satish Sanpal. Local news reports stated that investigators discovered transactions worth thousands of crores of rupees routed through 13 bogus companies, all of which existed only on paper. The revelations emerged during raids, interrogation of associates, and examination of documents seized from multiple locations across the city.

This case, involving alleged money laundering, shell companies, and betting revenues tracked from abroad, added to a growing list of high-profile investigations into illegal online betting networks operating in India. The figures were staggering, the companies suspicious, and the method of operation unusually elaborate. What began as a routine raid soon escalated into one of the largest alleged betting-linked financial investigations in the region.

The following article reconstructs—and expands upon—the events reported by police and local media. It explores how the alleged network operated, the roles played by various individuals, the discoveries made during police interrogations, and the larger implications of such offshore-operated betting systems. While the judicial process will ultimately decide guilt or innocence, the investigation offers a revealing look into how illegal financial networks can function behind layers of fabricated corporate identities.

---

The Discovery: Thirteen Fake Companies and Crores in Transactions

According to police sources and published reports, Satish Sanpal, who allegedly operated a cricket-betting network from abroad, is believed to have routed thousands of crores of rupees through 13 shell companies. These companies, investigators reportedly found, existed only on paper—lacking physical offices, real staff, or operational activity. Their sole purpose, according to the police, was to move betting proceeds through financial systems and disguise their origin.

The companies were allegedly opened using fabricated documents, nominee owners, or individuals who had little to no knowledge of the nature of the transactions being carried out under their names. The goal, investigators stated, was to make illegal proceeds appear legitimate by depositing them into corporate accounts and dispersing them through routine banking channels.

During interrogation, several individuals revealed that the companies did not conduct real business. They did not file income-tax returns, pay GST, or maintain genuine business records. Their only function, according to police, was to receive and disperse funds tied to cricket betting collections.

One of the most significant arrests was that of Manoj Sanpal, Satish’s uncle, who was placed on police remand for questioning. His interrogation reportedly played a key role in revealing the structure of the network, the creation of bogus companies, and the flow of money from betting operations conducted abroad.

---

How the Bogus Companies Were Created

According to the investigation, the 13 fake companies were opened using systematic and repetitive methods. Police reports suggested that individuals such as Manoj Sanpal and the absconding Vivek Pandey were responsible for visiting banks and creating new business accounts under fabricated entities.

The companies existed only in documents—sometimes using unwitting individuals’ names to mask the involvement of the alleged operators. For example, one company, Washet Service (OPC) Private Limited, was reportedly opened in the name of Pramod Rajak, the brother of accused Deepak Rajak. The investigation suggested that Pramod may not have been directly involved, but his identity was used to set up a front company.

Accounts were allegedly opened in several major private sector banks, including:

• Axis Bank
• Yes Bank
• HDFC Bank
• ICICI Bank

The repeated use of multiple banks indicated an attempt to diversify transactions and avoid detection. Investigators believe these accounts received betting proceeds, often in large volumes, before the funds were redistributed or withdrawn.

The involvement of multiple individuals suggests a coordinated effort to keep the operation functioning smoothly. Police noted that income tax was not paid by any of the companies, reinforcing their suspicion that the entities were created solely for the purpose of money movement rather than legitimate business.

---

The Raid at RK Tower: A Major Breakthrough

The turning point in the investigation occurred on May 19, when a police team raided Chambers 203 and 204 of RK Tower in Wright Town, Jabalpur. This was a significant operation triggered by surveillance and information indicating that individuals connected to the betting network frequently met at the location.

When officers entered the chambers, they reportedly found Manoj Sanpal and Deepak Rajak present. Their initial statements, combined with documents seized at the site, provided crucial leads. According to the police, Manoj and Deepak disclosed that two individuals—Amit Sharma and Vivek Pandey—were based in Dubai and were responsible for tracking betting proceeds flowing from the IPL season.

These proceeds were reportedly linked to the activities of Satish Sanpal and his close associate Azam, both of whom were said to be coordinating operations from abroad. While Satish Sanpal was identified in media reports as the primary figure behind the operation, Azam’s exact role was described as assisting in tracking and coordinating money transfers.

---

Items Seized During the Raid

The RK Tower raid yielded substantial physical evidence, including financial documents, company materials, and banking instruments. Among the items seized were:

• ₹21,55,600 in cash
• 27 company seals belonging to multiple entities
• Three loan books
• 34 checkbooks across various companies and banks
• Property documents
• A notepad containing handwritten entries

Each item served as a potential puzzle piece, helping investigators trace how the alleged money-laundering and betting network functioned. The presence of numerous company seals indicated the creation of multiple business identities. Checkbooks suggested that the accounts were actively used, possibly to move or withdraw funds rapidly.

Police stated that the detailed notes and documents found during the raid provided a roadmap to understanding how transactions were recorded, who issued instructions, and which accounts were used most frequently.

---

The Role of Dubai-Based Operators

One of the notable aspects of the case was the alleged involvement of Dubai-based individuals. According to statements gathered during interrogation, Amit Sharma and Vivek Pandey monitored betting proceeds from abroad.

This aligns with a broader pattern seen in recent betting-related cases, where the operational command is often offshore, while local associates handle cash deposits, withdrawals, and creation of shell companies. Using overseas hubs allows operators to avoid direct exposure to Indian law-enforcement agencies while continuing to run betting websites or channels targeting Indian audiences.

In the Sanpal case, Dubai reportedly served as the coordination center. Communication between local associates and offshore handlers was likely done through encrypted messaging applications, an approach frequently seen in illegal online betting networks. Police believed that the funds routed through bogus companies represented only a portion of a much larger international operation.

---

Uncovering the Money Trail

The sheer volume of transactions—described as “thousands of crores”—raised questions about how such a large flow of funds went undetected. According to investigators, the network exploited multiple loopholes:

1. Use of Shell Companies

The creation of 13 paper-only companies allowed money to be moved under the guise of business transactions. These companies acted as buffers, masking the real source of funds.

2. Multiple Bank Accounts

Using accounts across several private banks prevented concentration in a single institution and reduced the risk of immediate red flags.

3. Unwitting or Nominee Owners

Some companies were opened in the names of individuals who were not central to the operation, making detection even more difficult.

4. High-Volume, Low-Visibility Transactions

Betting-related transactions were reportedly broken down into smaller units to avoid automatic suspicious activity alerts.

5. Offshore Coordination

With key individuals operating from abroad, the financial decision-making was physically and legally distant from the flow of money on the ground.

Together, these methods created a network that appeared complex enough to temporarily evade detection but collapsed once investigators began tracing documents and banking records.

---

Interrogation of Manoj Sanpal and Its Importance

The police placed Manoj Sanpal on a three-day remand, during which he reportedly provided crucial details about how the companies were formed, who opened the accounts, and how money was circulated.

According to media reports, Manoj revealed that:

• The companies were set up under instructions from Satish Sanpal.
• Bank accounts were opened using either forged documents or nominees.
• Funds deposited into the accounts represented betting collections.
• Income tax filings were intentionally avoided to keep the companies under the radar.

His statements, combined with seized documents, allowed investigators to link the fake companies to betting earnings tracked from Dubai.

---

Amit Sharma and Vivek Pandey: Key Offshore Figures

Although not present in India, the roles of Amit Sharma and Vivek Pandey emerged as significant. Accused of handling data and financial updates from Dubai, the pair were said to be responsible for tracking daily inputs and outputs of betting funds.

Their alleged involvement reflected a structure where the hierarchy placed offshore individuals at the top, handling strategy and financial monitoring, while local associates focused on operational tasks such as withdrawing funds, opening accounts, and creating shell entities.

According to the FIR, Amit, Vivek, Satish, and others were booked under various legal sections related to cheating, criminal conspiracy, and unlawful financial activity.

---

How Illegal Betting Networks Use Fake Companies

The Sanpal investigation highlighted broader methods commonly used by betting rackets:

Layering of Funds

Money is moved through layers of companies to obscure its true source.

Integration

Eventually, the funds reenter the legitimate economy through investments, purchases, or business accounts.

Front Men and Identity Borrowing

Individuals who may not even understand the full scope of operations are used as nominal directors.

Cash-Based Deposits

Large amounts of cash collected from local bettors are deposited into corporate accounts rather than personal ones to reduce suspicion.

The Sanpal case, based on statements and investigations, appeared to employ all these methods.

---

The Broader Impact on Jabalpur and Beyond

The revelations deeply concerned local authorities, as it demonstrated how large volumes of cash could circulate within the city through seemingly legitimate channels without immediate detection. The case also highlighted the influence of offshore-operated betting networks and their ability to infiltrate local economies.

For financial regulators, the case raised important questions:

• How did multiple banks open accounts for fabricated companies without red flags?
• Why did non-filing of income tax for multiple companies not trigger scrutiny?
• How did transactions reportedly worth thousands of crores escape early detection?

For law enforcement, the case underscored the need to track digital communication, cross-border financial movement, and local assistants who help international operators conduct illegal activities.

---

Conclusion

The investigation into Satish Sanpal and his associates revealed a complex network of alleged offshore betting operations, bogus companies, and large-scale financial movement. According to the police and media reports, 13 shell companies were created to funnel betting proceeds, with transactions allegedly reaching thousands of crores. The discovery of documents, bank materials, and cash during the RK Tower raid provided critical evidence that helped dismantle the network’s local infrastructure.

While the final legal outcome will depend on the courts, the case highlighted the sophisticated methods used to disguise illegal income and the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking cross-border betting networks. It also emphasized the need for stronger oversight, stricter financial compliance systems, and better coordination between agencies.

Ultimately, the Jabalpur investigation stands as a detailed example of how illegal betting operations can intertwine with financial fraud, local networks, and offshore control—revealing the broader risks such activities pose to both the economy and public trust. both the economy and public trust.