The cyber crime wing of the of Hyderabad police have taken down 124 social media profiles that were promoting illegal online betting and gaming platforms through hundreds of paid advertisements targeting Indian users.
Officials said the action followed a month-long surveillance and intelligence-based operation during which investigators identified the profiles running 539 paid advertisements across multiple social media platforms. The advertisements promoted various online betting and gaming applications and websites.
According to the police, the promotional campaigns were designed to attract users, particularly young people, by promising easy money, assured profits, bonuses and referral commissions. The identified accounts were circulating promotional content, referral links and inducement-based schemes to lure users into participating in unlawful betting and wagering activities.
As a precautionary measure, the cyber crime police reported the accounts to the respective platforms, following which all 124 profiles were taken down to prevent further spread of the content.
Officials said further investigation is under way to identify the individuals operating these profiles and to trace the financial channels linked to them. Legal action will be initiated against those found responsible under relevant provisions of law.
