The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in Goa, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Rajkot as part of a major operation under the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The raids, which took place on September 28 and 29, targeted 15 locations linked to Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited, Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment Private Limited, and the well-known Big Daddy Casino in Goa.
During the searches, the ED recovered approximately 2.25 crore rupees in Indian currency, 14,000 US dollars, and foreign currency equivalent to 8.50 lakh rupees. In addition, cryptocurrencies, including USDT, valued at over 90 lakh rupees were frozen. The ED also seized numerous incriminating documents and digital evidence.
**Foreign Currency and Poker Chips**
The investigation revealed that the casino was exchanging poker chips for foreign currency. Winnings were also being returned in foreign currency as per the customers’ choice. Employees connected to Golden Globe Hotels were actively promoting online gambling platforms such as rolex777.co, iCasino247.com, play247s.com, Win Daddy, and Poker Daddy.
**Crypto Transactions and Hawala Channels**
The ED’s investigation showed that the crypto wallets of poker players were being used for financial transactions. USDT was being sent to Dubai and other countries through Hawala channels. The network used mule accounts to deposit winnings and send funds abroad.
**ED Statement**
The ED stated that the documents and digital evidence gathered during the searches clearly expose violations of FEMA and a cross-border Hawala-crypto transaction network. The investigation is ongoing and further discoveries are expected.