New Delhi, Dec 19: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against a Chinese-operated online gaming app, Fiewin, accused of fraudulently generating about Rs 400 crore from Indian players during the Covid period.
The supplementary prosecution complaint was filed on December 8 before a PMLA court in Kolkata. Two individuals—Utkarsh Arya and Sujit Kumar Jha—and 12 companies allegedly beneficially owned by Jha have been named as accused, the ED said. The agency alleged these firms were used to launder and disguise the proceeds of crime as legitimate business income.
Earlier, in October 2024, the ED had filed its first chargesheet in the case, arrested three persons and attached assets worth Rs 26 crore. According to investigators, the Fiewin app operated between 2020 and June 2023 and was aggressively promoted on social media platforms as a quick money-making opportunity.
The ED said the app hosted luck-based games such as colour prediction and minesweeper, with no element of skill. Investigations revealed that Chinese nationals operated the app with the help of Indian associates, routing money through cryptocurrency, including Binance wallets held in the names of Chinese nationals.
Funds collected from users were deposited into bank accounts of “recharge persons” who allowed use of their accounts for commissions. The accused were allegedly directed by Chinese handlers via digital platforms, especially Telegram. The money laundering probe is based on an FIR registered at Kolkata’s Cossipore police station. (Agencies)
