India’s busts online gaming betting scam ring; Mahadev, Lotus, MY99 apps used
India’s UP Police have arrested two people and placed one juvenile under watch in an alleged online gaming and betting fraud that used fake social media ads, WhatsApp and WATI groups, and sites including Mahadev Game, Lotus Game, MY99 and MY REDDY 99. Officers seized ₹15 lakh in cash and digital evidence of crores in transactions.
ETAWAH: Etawah Police have arrested two people and placed one juvenile under police watch in an alleged syndicate that cheated victims through online gaming and betting websites, the Uttar Pradesh Police said on 4 October 2026.
Officers recovered ₹15 lakh in cash, four mobile phones, a Dell laptop, bank cheque books, ATM cards and identity documents.
Digital data linked to gaming accounts and transactions worth crores of rupees was also seized.
A black Scorpio used by the suspects was impounded.
Apps and platforms used
Sources say the syndicate pushed fake ads on social media for online gaming and betting sites named Mahadev Game, Lotus Game, MY99 and MY REDDY 99.
After contact, victims were added to WhatsApp and WATI app groups, then given gaming IDs and passwords.
Modus operandi
Sources say the group first showed small wins to build trust, then asked victims to keep depositing money through fake QR codes and mule bank accounts.
When anyone tried to withdraw, the gaming ID was blocked and the deposited money was taken.
Police are still tracing bank accounts and other members from the seized digital data.
Alleged ringleader Sumit Sahu of Jhansi remains at large, with a ₹25,000 reward declared for his arrest.