Lamborghini Urus, BMW Z4 Seized As ED Cracks Down On YouTuber Linked To Online Betting

Last Updated:December 18, 2025, 10:09 pm IST

ED raided Anurag Dwivedi’s UP house for laundering money via illegal betting apps, seizing luxury cars; Sonu Thakur and Vishal Bhardwaj also named.

The Enforcement Directorate raided the premises of an Uttar Pradesh-based YouTuber and “online influencer” in a money laundering investigation linked to “illegal” online betting, officials said on Thursday.

A resident of UP’s Unnao, YouTuber Anurag Dwivedi allegedly made massive sums of money by promoting online betting and gambling apps and lived a lavish lifestyle. During the search, ED sleuths recovered four luxury sports cars, including a Lamborghini Urus, a BMW Z4 and a Mercedes-Benz, from his residence. The probe is focused on tracing the money trail and uncovering illegal earnings linked to online gambling platforms.

According to sources, a significant portion of Dwivedi’s income came from Sky Exchange and other gambling apps, which facilitate online betting, an activity that is illegal in India. Officials said the proceeds from these platforms were laundered through multiple channels and later used to purchase luxury cars and other expensive assets, NDTV reported.

The ED has initiated action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Investigators allege that Dwivedi attempted to conceal assets acquired through illegal earnings by projecting them as legitimate. His Unnao residence was searched as part of efforts to identify and seize such properties.

Dwivedi runs a YouTube channel where he allegedly promoted betting and gambling apps, encouraging a large number of users to join these platforms and thereby expanding the scale of illegal operations, officials said.

The central probe agency is now working to identify others involved in the network, estimate the total illegal earnings, and trace where the money was invested. Further asset seizures and action against additional individuals are likely.

Separately, the West Bengal Police also carried out a search in Siliguri and identified more accused, including Sonu Kumar Thakur and Vishal Bhardwaj. They allegedly used mule bank accounts, Telegram channels and other digital platforms to run online betting activities.

Investigators said Dwivedi played an active role in promoting illegal betting platforms, creating promotional content and receiving payments through hawala operators, mule accounts and cash intermediaries. Large sums were allegedly routed through the accounts of his companies and family members without legitimate justification. He is also accused of purchasing properties abroad, particularly in Dubai, using proceeds of crime generated from illegal betting promotions.

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