Bhubaneswar: Rourkela Police on Thursday busted a high-profile organised cricket betting syndicate operating from the Bondamunda area under its special drive titled ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’, arresting six persons and seizing cash and luxury items worth lakhs of rupees. Acting on specific inputs and sustained surveillance during the ongoing T-20 World Cup 2026, police conducted a raid at a suspected hideout in Bondamunda. The operation led to the apprehension of six accused who were allegedly running an online betting racket linked to cricket matches.During the raid, police seized Rs 30,65,000 in cash, a black Mahindra Thar SUV, two laptops, and several high-end smartphones, including iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 models. The recovery of substantial cash and electronic gadgets indicates the scale and sophistication of the illegal operation. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were using an online platform named “Silver Exchange” to facilitate betting transactions. The syndicate allegedly lured individuals by promising high returns on cricket bets placed during the T-20 World Cup. Police sources said the network was not confined to Odisha alone and had operational links extending to other states. Officials said digital evidence collected from the seized devices is being examined to trace the financial trail and identify other members associated with the racket. Efforts are also underway to determine the extent of money laundering and interstate connections. Rourkela Police reiterated its commitment to cracking down on cyber-enabled gambling activities and appealed to the public to refrain from engaging in illegal betting, warning of strict legal action against offenders.
