09 July 2025

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Gurugram Zonal Office, conducted search operations on July 8 and 9, 2025, at four locations in Gurugram and Jind, Haryana. These operations targeted M/s. Probo Media Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and its promoters, Sachin Subhaschandra Gupta and Ashish Garg, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The company operates the "Probo" app and website, which is accused of facilitating illegal gambling and betting activities across India.

The ED initiated its investigation based on multiple FIRs filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and the Public Gambling Act, 1867, in Gurugram, Palwal (Haryana), and Agra (Uttar Pradesh). Complainants alleged they were deceived by a scheme promising easy money through "yes or no" questions, which, in reality, promoted gambling by enticing users to invest more for higher returns.

The ED's investigation revealed that the "Probo" platform, while marketed as "opinion trading" requiring knowledge and skill, allegedly defrauds users. The analysis of its games showed they primarily involve "Yes or No" questions with only two possible outcomes, making them indistinguishable from gambling. This mechanism reportedly leads to users losing their money.

Further findings from the ED searches indicate that the app/website:

• Lacks a mechanism to prevent minors from registering.
• Does not have proper Know Your Customer (KYC) due diligence.
• Induces new users through misleading advertisements.
• Promotes opinion trading related to election results.

The investigation also uncovered that Probo Media Technologies Pvt. Ltd. received Rs. 134.84 crore from foreign entities based in Mauritius, Cayman Island, and other locations through the issuance of Preference Shares.

During the searches, the ED seized incriminating documents and digital data. Additionally, investments totaling Rs. 284.5 crore in Fixed Deposits (FDs) and shares, along with three bank lockers, have been frozen.

Further investigation into the matter is ongoing.