Neha Sharma questioned by ED in connection with money laundering case linked to betting app - Report

Actress Neha Sharma, known for films like ‘Crook’, ‘Bad Newz’, ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana 2’ and more, has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in a money-laundering case linked to the online betting platform.As reported by PTI, on Tuesday, the 38-year-old recorded her statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), officials confirmed. Sharma is understood to be linked to the betting platform by way of certain endorsements.Neha Sharma’s appearance marks the latest step in an ongoing investigation into 1xBet’s operations in India. Officials are recording her statement to understand her role, if any, in promoting the platform through endorsements.The ED is reportedly examining Sharma’s association with the app via endorsement deals. While details are still being investigated, authorities are focusing on how payments for these promotions were structured and routed.The app which is registered in Curacao, is described as a globally recognised bookmaker with almost two decades of experience. However, the ED says the platform operated illegally in India, using surrogate branding and advertisements to target Indian users through social media, online videos, and print media.The ED claims that, "Payments for endorsements were structured through layered transactions using foreign intermediaries to disguise the illegal source of funds."Neha Sharma is not the first celebrity to be summoned by the ED in connection with this case. The agency has already questioned former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, whose assets worth Rs 11.14 crore were attached, as well as sports figures Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa. Several actors, including Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela, who serves as 1xBet’s Indian brand ambassador, and Bengali actor Ankush Hazra, have also been questioned. Disclaimer: The information in this report is based on statements and actions of authorities as reported by third-party sources. The details represent ongoing investigations and are not proven facts. The case is still under inquiry, and no final conclusions have been reached. This publication does not claim that any allegations are true.