Authorities in Uttar Pradesh busted an illegal betting ring on Friday, and have uncovered an inventive betting device which allow bets to be placed simultaneously during a live match.
According to Mail Today, the special task force seized the device, sewn up into a briefcase which could interconnect up to 32 callers to place their bets simultaneously during a live match – the IPL.
“The suitcase connected all the phones in such a way that the bookie’s voice would be audible on all phones at the same time. The phone lines of gamblers were connected to a speaker beneath the suitcase to record their stakes,” said Raj Kumar Mishra of the Special Task Force. “The gang was using the briefcase for last one year. The set-up gave them high mobility and allowed early wrap-up in case of an emergency.”
The inventor of the briefcase, an electrician from Najafgarh in southwest Delhi, however could not be placed under arrest, as making customised electronic equipment is not a crime, reports local media.
Police suspect total earnings from the illegal betting ring is around Rs 200 million (US$3.1 million).
The ring leader has been identified as Rohit Gupta, a resident of Kailash Puri in Bulandshahr.
The other six accused have been identified as Ankur Govil, Neeraj Gupta, Samuel Jacob, Rahul Chana, Akash Vij and Ashok Garg.
