Pramesh S Jain
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED),Bengaluru Zonal Office,has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth around Rs.442.35 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the RummyCulture app case involving Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and associated entities.
The attachment was made through a Provisional Attachment Order dated September 25,2026,issued under Section 5(1) of the PMLA.
According to the ED,the attached assets include fixed deposits, commercial shops,a villa and several residential properties held in the names of family members, private family trusts and associated entities of shareholders of Gameskraft Technologies.
The ED initiated the money laundering investigation based on multiple FIRs registered by law enforcement agencies in Telangana in connection with alleged cheating offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023,which are scheduled offences under the PMLA.
The agency had earlier conducted searches at the offices of Gameskraft Technologies and the residential premises of its directors and key employees between May 7 and 14,and again on June 20 and 21.
During the searches,ED seized documents,digital devices and electronic records which it said provided crucial evidence for the investigation.
The investigation has so far revealed that Gameskraft Technologies and RummyTime Technologies operated online real-money gaming platforms,particularly rummy games and tournaments,through brands including RummyCulture,RummyPrime,
The platforms reportedly had around three crore users across the country.
The ED alleged that a significant number of users were from Telangana,Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu,where online real-money gaming has been banned.
The companies allegedly generated substantial revenue by charging platform commissions of 10% to 15% on the amounts staked or wagered by users.
The agency further alleged that despite assuring users that the platforms were transparent and free from automated players,the companies deployed bots against users without their knowledge or consent.
According to the ED,this resulted in financial losses to users while generating proceeds of crime for the companies.
The investigation also found that the companies allegedly spent around Rs.1,035 crore on marketing and promotional campaigns to acquire users.
Bonuses, referral incentives, free tournament entries and promotional rewards were allegedly used to encourage users to continue playing and make further deposits.
The ED also alleged that restrictive withdrawal mechanisms,including a withdrawal levy of 5% to 10% in certain cases,were imposed.
Users were allegedly encouraged to convert withdrawable balances into non-withdrawable “Game Cash” through promotional offers.
According to the agency, even dormant users who had stopped playing after suffering heavy losses were targeted through cash credits,promotional offers,push notifications,SMS campaigns and telemarketing calls to encourage them to resume playing.
The ED alleged that the proceeds generated through these activities were subsequently layered and integrated through payment of dividends and buy-back of shares to shareholders.
The proceeds were further allegedly invested in mutual funds,bonds,convertible notes,equity shares,movable assets and high-value immovable properties, including assets held through family trusts and associated entities.
Earlier in the investigation,movable assets worth around Rs.495 crore were frozen under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA.
The agency also seized Rs 11 lakh in cash and gold and diamond jewellery,including bullion weighing approximately 2.30 kg.
The ED had previously issued a provisional attachment order covering properties worth around Rs.1,906 crore.
With the latest action,the total value of proceeds of crime attached,frozen and seized by the ED in the case so far has reached approximately Rs.2,843 crore.
Further investigation is underway, the ED said.
