The City Task Force (CTF) police raided an apartment in Gudlavanipalem area of the city and busted a cricket betting gang late on Saturday night.
Four persons were reportedly caught red-handed while organising betting during the One-Day International match that was played between India and Australia in Hyderabad on Saturday.
Police identified the accused as P. Satya Seshagiri Rao of Bhimavaram, A.V. Janaki Gangaram and V. Narasimha Raju of PM Palem area, and A.K.S. Venkata Tataji of Veeravasaram, West Godavari district.
All the four persons are friends, and three of them are graduates, police said. The group had reportedly been organising betting for the last two years at various places.
According to CTF police, after receiving credible information about the cricket betting gang, the CTF team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Mathe, conducted a raid at an apartment in Gudlavanipalem area.
Police seized three communicator setup boxes containing 55 mobile phones, three laptops, an LED TV, ₹5,900 in cash, about 19 SIM cards and other betting equipment.
Modus operandi
Explaining the modus operandi, ACP-CTF M. Mahendra said that using the communicator setup box, these four organisers were able to communicate with about 55 customers using mobile phones simultaneously, and would receive and place bets accordingly.
Mr. Mahendra said as the CTF team raided the apartment shortly after the match had begun, the betting amount was low.
“Initially, these four used to bet money on cricket matches as customers. For the last two years, they began organising betting by launching their own setup. They have also conducted betting in Bhimavaram and some other places,” Mr. Mahendra told The Hindu . A case has been registered.
