In one of the most shocking financial scams of recent times, a juice seller turned into a mastermind behind a massive online betting racket. This scam, centered around the Mahadev App, has caused a stir not only in India but also internationally. Let’s break down this extraordinary story that involves not only common criminals but also celebrities, high-end politics, and criminal networks.
The Beginning of the Scam: From a Juice Shop to Millions
Our story starts in 2013 in the small town of Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, where Saurabh Chandrakar and **RaviRavi Uppal , two ordersjuice shop and a tire business. Their lives were simple, earning just enough to support their families. But one day, they developed an interest in betting and quickly fell into the world of illegal gambling.
Saurabh lost a significant amount, about 10 to 20 lakh rupees, in gambling. After facing huge losses, they realized that betting was a world where the bookmakers, not the gamblers, made the real money. Inspired by this, they decided to become bookmakers themselves. But there was a catch: betting was illegal in India, and they needed to find a way to run their operations smoothly without getting caught.
The Launch of Mahadev App
In the mid-2010s, Saurabh and Ravi decided to take their business to a new level. They moved to Dubai, where betting was not banned, and launched the Mahadev App. Initially, the name of the app led people to believe it was a religious app. However, in reality, it was a betting platform that allowed users to gamble. The app attracted many users by offering huge profits, luring them into betting more money.
People who started with small bets quickly got hooked, and as they lost, the money flowed directly into the pockets of Saurabh and Ravi. The duo raked in huge profits from their app, and soon, the operation became a massive network with thousands of users.
Expansion and Franchise System
With their growing wealth, Saurabh and Ravi didn’t stop there. They decided to franchise their app, allowing others to promote and run local betting networks in different regions. These franchises, much like a pyramid scheme, generated more money and connected people to the betting world. It was so well-structured that even if a local bookmaker got caught, the authorities would never be able to trace the flow of money back to Saurabh and Ravi.
How Did Payments Work?
The app worked by allowing users to create an account and deposit money in exchange for betting points. However, the payment system was designed to be untraceable. Saurabh and Ravi never used their personal bank accounts. Instead, they used poor individuals’ accounts from areas like Bhilai, and money was sent to Dubai through hawala channels.
The Rise of Saurabh Chandrakar’s Wealth
The success of Mahadev App was astounding. By the time 2023 arrived, Saurabh Chandrakar was flaunting his wealth in a way that raised suspicion. He spent over 200 crore rupees on his wedding, inviting top Bollywood celebrities like Tiger Shroff, Neha Kakkar, and Sunny Leone. The wedding was held in Dubai, where lavish hotels, private jets, and exclusive events were booked. All payments for these expenses were made through hawala, further connecting Saurabh to illegal financial channels.
ED’s Investigation and Arrests
As the wealth of Saurabh and Ravi continued to grow, so did the attention of the authorities. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched an investigation into the Mahadev App in 2023, leading to the discovery of a massive money laundering racket. According to reports, Saurabh and Ravi, through their app, had accumulated 5000 crore rupees, and the money had been funneled through hawala to various countries, including Dubai.
In August 2023, ED raided several locations, including properties tied to local politicians, and seized over 417 crore rupees in assets. They also arrested several individuals involved in the scam, including key figures from the Chhattisgarh police and political advisors.
The Underworld Connection
To make matters even more alarming, the case eventually revealed connections to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Naxalite groups. According to reports, Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious gangster, had reached out to Saurabh, claiming his connections with Dawood Ibrahim, which further implicates the scale of this operation.
The Global Impact and Future Consequences
This is not just a scam confined to India. The Mahadev App scam has spread its roots globally, and with the money being funneled into various illegal operations, it raises several questions about the involvement of international financial systems. Now, both Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal are on the run, with Interpol assisting in their capture. It is believed that Saurabh is hiding in Dubai, and Ravi in Sri Lanka .
The Bigger Picture: Politics and Criminal Networks
The scam not only has financial implications but also political ones. The involvement of local politicians and the Naxal connection shows how deep the corruption and illegal betting network runs. The political support Saurabh and Ravi garnered allowed them to run their operations without fear of being caught for years.
Wrapping Up the Mahadev App Scandal
As investigations continue, we are sure to uncover more about how this illegal betting empire was built and operated. It serves as a reminder of how sometimes even the most ordinary individuals can rise to immense wealth by exploiting loopholes in the system and building vast networks of corruption.
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