Nepal (The COW News Digital)A major illegal betting scandal has emerged during the ongoing Nepal Premier League, leading to the arrest of nine Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, police confirmed. The suspects were allegedly operating an online betting network and were involved in unlawful gambling transactions, including those conducted through cryptocurrencies.
According to police sources, the arrested Indian nationals hail from Andhra Pradesh and are aged between 19 and 35 years. The investigation began after intelligence agencies identified suspicious activity linked to illegal betting on matches in the Nepal Premier League.
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Police conducted multiple secret and sudden raids in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, successfully apprehending eight individuals at a rented property in Simkhusi. During the raid, authorities seized 15 mobile phones, digital records, and betting data, which are now crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation.
A follow-up operation conducted a day later led to the arrest of one more Indian and one Nepali national, bringing the total number of detained individuals to ten. Authorities believe the group was running a sophisticated network that facilitated illegal betting on cricket matches and other sporting events.
Police spokesperson SP Kaji Kumar Acharya stated that preliminary investigations suggest the group handled betting operations worth approximately 5 lakh Nepali Rupees. However, further evidence indicates that the network’s total financial volume could reach up to 2.5 crore Nepali Rupees (approximately USD 175,000), highlighting the scale and seriousness of the scam.
In addition to traditional cash transactions, investigators found that the group was engaged in cryptocurrency-based illegal transactions, further complicating the case. Authorities warned that this aspect adds significant gravity to the charges and may attract additional scrutiny from financial regulatory bodies.
Nepal Police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests or charges could follow as authorities analyze digital evidence and trace the network’s financial flows. The arrests have sent shockwaves through Nepal’s cricketing community, as illegal betting scandals threaten the integrity of the sport.
Officials emphasized the need for strict monitoring of online gambling platforms, especially those targeting international participants, to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the suspects remain in police custody, and further updates are expected as investigations continue.
