Karnataka Police Blocks 8,750 Websites in Major Anti-Betting Operation Ahead of IPL Final
Karnataka Cyber Command unit blocks 8,750 sites ahead of IPL final, news sites hit
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
The Karnataka Cyber Command Unit has blocked approximately 8,750 websites, including some legitimate news sites, in a crackdown on illegal online betting ahead of the IPL final on May 31. The operation, coordinated with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, aims to disrupt illegal betting networks and prevent financial losses.
- 01The operation targeted a network of about 8,750 online betting websites and applications.
- 02The crackdown was based on credible intelligence and involved coordinated investigations by specialized cyber teams.
- 03The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Information Technology Act for computer-related offences.
- 04Some legitimate news websites were inadvertently blocked, causing access issues for users.
- 05Advanced investigations into financial tracking and identification of betting operators are ongoing.
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In a significant move against illegal online betting, the Karnataka Cyber Command Unit has blocked around 8,750 websites ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) final scheduled for May 31. This operation, described as one of the largest anti-online-betting efforts in India, was conducted in collaboration with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C). According to Pranab Mohanty, Director General of Police for the Cyber Command, the operation focused on organized groups running illegal betting platforms that utilized mirror domains and cloned URLs. The initiative aims to prevent substantial financial losses and disrupt the illegal betting ecosystem. However, the crackdown inadvertently affected several legitimate news websites, which were blocked by Internet Service Providers following requests from the Cyber Crime Unit. Users attempting to access these sites received messages indicating that the URLs had been blocked as per directives from the Department of Telecommunications. The police acknowledged that the algorithm may have mistakenly categorized these sites as related to betting. Legal actions are being pursued under the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating.
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The crackdown aims to significantly reduce illegal betting activities, which can lead to financial losses for individuals.
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