Arrest of 9 Influencers in India for Promoting Online Gambling — How Much They Earned and How the Scheme Worked
Deputy Police Chief Dr. Parthrajsinh Gohil reported that the city’s cyber police detained several influencers who were promoting online gambling operators.
How Gambling Was Promoted Through Instagram
Two young influencers — 20-year-old Dharmik Vaghanhi and 23-year-old Deep Goswami — were the first to be arrested. They were receiving up to Rs 7,000 (approximately $85) for each promotional Reel on Instagram.
Their main activity was creating videos promoting gambling websites. They also received a commission for each follower who registered and made a first deposit via their referral link.
How Much the Influencers Earned
| Name | Age | Followers | Income Over 6 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Goswami | 23 | 320,000 | Rs 7.5 lakh (around $9,000) |
| Dharmik Vaghanhi | 20 | 954,000 | Not disclosed |
According to the investigation, some influencers earned over $13,000 in the last six months.
How the Scheme Worked
- Influencers received orders via Instagram and Telegram.
- They posted videos promoting sites such as 1win, rajagames, sky365 and others.
- Commissions were paid not only for user registrations but also for their participation in games.
As the number of users registered through the links increased, so did the earnings.
Investigation and Police Action
After questioning the first two detainees, seven more people were arrested:
- Nilesh Chavda
- Bhavesh Rathod
- Laxman Janjwadia
- Sagar Chhaya
- Vanrajsinh Zala
- Ilesh Derwadiya
- Vijay Majetia
The police seized phones and began the freezing of bank accounts. Banks are required to provide full transaction data to trace the flow of funds.
Conclusion
The case in Rajkot became a vivid example of how social media can be used to spread prohibited content and illegal earning schemes. The investigation is still ongoing to identify all involved and map out the entire financial network.