Published on: June 3, 2026, 03:08h.
Updated on: June 3, 2026, 03:08h.
- Investigators in India discovered 46 mule accounts spanning eight layers
- Unlawful gambling operations utilize shell companies and payment facilitators
- Dafabet case reveals hidden mechanisms behind Asian gambling markets
The recent apprehension of 11 suspects in India, allegedly linked to the Dafabet online gambling platform, has unveiled the operational tactics of offshore betting operators and their local affiliates within Asia’s underground gambling market.
The inquiry, led by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Telangana, India, revealed a complex structure of 46 mule bank accounts operating across eight transactional layers, allegedly facilitating the movement of player funds through various Indian states, according to reports from India’s NDTV.
Authorities discovered shell companies, technical support networks, and a broad array of account providers throughout the region.
Mule Accounts
Rather than using traditional payment processors, illegal betting operators are leaning heavily on thousands of “mule” accounts—bank accounts that individuals rent, purchase, or control via intermediaries—to move funds and evade detection.
These accounts are often obtained from economically disadvantaged individuals in rural areas, who are compensated for relinquishing control over their banking options. In some sectors of the offshore gambling industry, they are referred to as “farmers’ accounts.”
Investigators suggest that these accounts can be incorporated into convoluted payment networks that involve intermediaries and payment processors, enabling operators to obscure the financial flow and complicate law enforcement efforts.
The individuals detained by Telangana CID reportedly included those responsible for funding collection, sourcing mule accounts, managing shell companies, and providing technical assistance.
Investigators indicated that players were attracted through aggressive promotion strategies for cricket betting, casino offerings, and the popular Aviator game, often accompanied by promises of easy gains and substantial returns. Initial payouts were allegedly employed to foster trust, encouraging users to increase their stakes.
“Underground online betting sites are not merely harmless gaming platforms; they are organized criminal enterprises that prey on vulnerable individuals, exploit layered financial networks to siphon funds, and enable cyber-enabled crimes,” stated Charu Sinha, Director General of the Telangana CID.
Offshore Structure
Dafabet, established in the Philippines in 2004, was licensed under the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA)—a pioneer in Asia for licensing online gambling operators catering to clients in jurisdictions where online betting is legally restricted.
The brand also holds a regulated presence in the UK and Malta via the white-label service provider SCGO, which was formerly known as Vivaro.
Through this white-label arrangement, gambling brands can promote themselves under their unique identity while depending on an independently licensed operator to provide regulatory oversight, platform infrastructure, and operational services.
This setup has allowed Dafabet to secure lucrative sponsorship agreements with numerous Premier League clubs and Celtic FC within the Scottish Premiership, as well as global organizations in cricket and snooker.
These partnerships have significantly elevated the brand’s visibility across Asian markets, including areas where online gambling and related advertising face various legal constraints.