ED Summons Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj In Betting App Scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned prominent actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, and Prakash Raj in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to an illegal betting app case.

As part of its probe, the ED has called several celebrities and influencers for questioning. Rana Daggubati has been directed to appear before the agency on July 23, Prakash Raj on July 30, Vijay Deverakonda on August 6, and Lakshmi Manchu on August 13.

The investigation also names a long list of popular figures from the South Indian entertainment industry, including Pranitha Subhash, Nidhhi Agerwal, Ananya Nagalla, Siri Hanumanth, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, Shobha Shetty, Amrutha Chowdhary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padmavati, Imran Khan, Vishnu Priya, Harsha Sai, Bhaiyya Sunny Yadav, Shyamala, Tasty Teja, Reethu Chowdhary, and Bandaru Seshayani Supreetha.

According to the Enforcement Directorate, these individuals are being investigated for promoting and endorsing betting platforms suspected to be operating unlawfully. The case falls under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The complaint alleges that the illegal betting apps handled substantial sums of money and lured users, particularly from middle- and lower-income households, resulting in significant financial losses. These platforms, according to officials, have pushed numerous families into emotional and monetary crises.

The FIR further claims that celebrity endorsements of these apps on social media played a major role in encouraging financially vulnerable users to invest. It also accuses these public figures of accepting payments from the illegal betting operators in exchange for promotional activities.

The ED's investigation is ongoing, and further summons are expected as more details emerge.