The Crime Branch Central Unit has arrested a man for operating an illegal lottery centre in Koparkhairne on Wednesday. Acting on a tip-off, a team from the Central Unit raided the government-recognised Shubhlaxmi online lottery centre at Sector 12 in Koparkhairne. The team, however, found that the accused Anil Pawar (45), a resident of Dive, was running Sai Lucky Coupons, an illegal online lottery service.
A police officer said, “The accused had the licence to run Shubhlaxmi online lottery centre, but he was operating Sai Lucky Coupons in its place. The accused had tickets with 10 blocks from letters A to J, which people could purchase at ₹20. After every 15 minutes, the online result of the lottery would be declared and the winner would claim ₹180.” During the raid, the police seized computers and other items from the centre. Investigations are on.
A case has been registered by the Crime Branch at the Koparkhairane police station under Sections 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 66(D) of Information Technology Act (cheating by personation by using computer resource), and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Maharashtra Lottery Act.
The Navi Mumbai police suspect that lottery centre is part of a huge racket. The police also expect more arrests to be made in connection with the case.
The Crime Branch has detained four more men suspected to be part of the online lottery scam.
