Neha Sharma Under Investigation: The Link to 1xBet Exposed!

Neha Sharma Faces ED Interrogation

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Neha Sharma, the model and actress, was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning regarding a money laundering investigation associated with the online betting site 1xBet, according to officials.

The 38-year-old star's statement is being documented under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Reports suggest that Sharma's connection to the betting platform stems from various endorsements.

Previously, the federal agency had seized assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina after they were interrogated in a similar context.

1xBet, which is registered in Curacao, claims to be a well-known bookmaker with 18 years of experience in the betting sector.

The ED noted that 1xBet operated in India without proper authorization, utilizing surrogate branding and advertisements to attract Indian customers via social media, online videos, and print media.

The agency revealed that payments for endorsements were arranged through complex transactions involving foreign intermediaries to obscure the illegal origins of the funds.

Recently, the Indian government introduced legislation aimed at prohibiting real money online gaming within the country.

In addition to the two cricketers, the ED has also questioned several sports personalities, including Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, as well as actors Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela (the Indian brand ambassador for 1xBet), Mimi Chakraborty (a former MP from the Trinamool Congress), and Bengali actor Ankush Hazra, as part of this ongoing investigation.