India’s central economic investigation agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has filed a prosecution complaint before a special court in Bengaluru against Winzo Private Limited, its directors, and others, alleging financial irregularities involving more than ₹3,522 crore over a period of under four years. The charges relate to money laundering and manipulated gaming practices on the online platform.
The legal action follows investigations triggered by multiple FIRs registered across police jurisdictions in Bengaluru, Rajasthan, New Delhi, and Gurugram, which raised concerns about gaming manipulation and funds being siphoned from users and the company’s accounts.
Allegations of Manipulation and Siphoning
Winzo operates its mobile app in the real-money gaming (RMG) segment, claiming to offer over 100 games largely based on numbers and skill. The company also professed that its platform was “BOT-free, transparent and secure.”
However, the ED’s probe reportedly found that the gaming content was manipulated using bots, AI and algorithmic profiles hidden within the codebase and internal systems — despite public assurances to the contrary. Between May 2024 and August 2025, profiles based on historical gameplay data of dormant users were allegedly deployed against real players without their consent, causing significant losses.
This practice allegedly involved misleading internal labels like EP (Engagement Play), PPP (Past Performance of Player) and Persona, designed to conceal the presence of bots and simulation techniques.
User Losses and Withheld Winnings
The ED alleges that genuine players lost around ₹734 crore due to these manipulated gameplay conditions. Additionally, even when users legitimately won significant amounts at higher stake levels, the earnings were reportedly blocked or restricted from withdrawal, which allegedly forced users into prolonged play and deeper losses.
The investigation also claims that Winzo failed to return ₹47.66 crore in winnings and deposits that were legitimately owed to users, even after the Indian government banned real-money gaming platforms in 2025.
Alleged Money Laundering Through Shell Companies
Beyond gameplay manipulation, the ED has accused Winzo and associated actors of money laundering by transferring illicit proceeds overseas. According to the prosecution complaint, about $55 million (approximately ₹450+ crore) was moved to shell companies in the United States and Singapore under the guise of overseas direct investment (ODI).
An additional ₹230 crore was allegedly diverted to a subsidiary company as purported “loans from a holding company,” again lacking legitimate business rationale, the ED claims. Attempts to divert another ₹150 crore via ODI channels reportedly did not materialise due to missing audit and utilisation certificates.
Raids, Seizures and Next Steps
In connection with the probe, the ED conducted searches between November and December 2025 at Winzo’s corporate offices, the residences of directors, and related locations, leading to the seizure of assets worth around ₹690 crore.
Legal proceedings are now underway in the special court, with the prosecution complaint forming the basis for further action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and other relevant statutes.
