Victim fell into trap of illegal betting apps; police launch investigation
Diplomat Correspondent
Bandipora, (DD): A resident of Bandipora district in north Kashmir has reportedly lost nearly Rs 1 crore to online gambling, raising fresh concerns over the growing menace of illegal betting platforms operating in the region.
According to officials, the man—whose identity is being withheld—became addicted to betting on online gambling applications over the past several months. What began as small stakes soon escalated into massive financial losses, ultimately wiping out his savings and investments.
“The individual initially won small amounts, which enticed him to bet larger sums. He continued to pour money into these apps, believing he could recover previous losses,” a police officer told the Diplomat. “By the time he realised the trap he was in, he had already lost around Rs 1 crore.”
Family members of the victim said they were unaware of his gambling activity until recently, when financial irregularities came to light. Sources added that the man had even taken loans to fund his addiction.
The Bandipora Police have registered a preliminary complaint and are investigating the matter. Authorities suspect the involvement of offshore or unauthorised Indian platforms operating without regulation. A cyber team has also been tasked with tracing digital transactions and identifying the operators behind the apps.
“Online gambling is a serious threat to our youth. We urge people to stay away from such platforms and immediately report any suspicious activities,” said a senior police official, adding that public awareness campaigns are also being planned.
This is not the first such case in Jammu and Kashmir, but it is among the highest reported individual losses in recent times. Officials are calling for stricter cyber surveillance and central regulations to prevent the spread of online gambling in the region.(DD)