ED now zeroes in on Krish Shah as brain behind Fairplay betting app

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified Krish Shah as the principal architect and creator of the Fairplay online gaming-betting app. Shah established multiple companies overseas, particularly in Malta, to facilitate its operations, and through engaging Bollywood celebrities for promoting their app, it increased its user base.
“It was found that Krish Shah is the founder and key person behind Fairplay and he has registered various companies/entities outside India for the functioning of Fairplay. Shah strategically incorporated and controlled these corporate entities to facilitate Fairplay’s illegal operations. Investigation showed that Fairplay operated primarily from Dubai, where Krish Shah, along with his associates Siddhant lyer alias Joe Paul, Chirag Shah, Chintan Shah and others, had established a network for providing technical support, software services and marketing assistance.”
On Thursday, the ED had arrested Chintan Shah and his brother Chirag in the case.
“The platform experienced significant user growth, attributed to endorsements from prominent celebrities. The organisation established formal agreements with notable personalities and marketing companies to promote its services across different media channels, including social platforms,” said the ED.
The ED said Fairplay’s operational strategy involves user recruitment for online betting through promotional activities of its websites and app. Users begin by registering on the Fairplay app, receiving temporary bank account details from administrators via WhatsApp or Telegram. Following IMPS and UPI deposits, users notify through messaging platforms, and after verification, Fairplay credits their betting wallets. —VijayV.Singh
Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified Krish Shah as the principal architect and creator of the Fairplay online gaming-betting app. Shah established multiple companies overseas, particularly in Malta, to facilitate its operations, and through engaging Bollywood celebrities for promoting their app, it increased its user base.
“It was found that Krish Shah is the founder and key person behind Fairplay and he has registered various companies/entities outside India for the functioning of Fairplay. Shah strategically incorporated and controlled these corporate entities to facilitate Fairplay’s illegal operations. Investigation showed that Fairplay operated primarily from Dubai, where Krish Shah, along with his associates Siddhant lyer alias Joe Paul, Chirag Shah, Chintan Shah and others, had established a network for providing technical support, software services and marketing assistance.”
On Thursday, the ED had arrested Chintan Shah and his brother Chirag in the case.
“The platform experienced significant user growth, attributed to endorsements from prominent celebrities. The organisation established formal agreements with notable personalities and marketing companies to promote its services across different media channels, including social platforms,” said the ED.
The ED said Fairplay’s operational strategy involves user recruitment for online betting through promotional activities of its websites and app. Users begin by registering on the Fairplay app, receiving temporary bank account details from administrators via WhatsApp or Telegram. Following IMPS and UPI deposits, users notify through messaging platforms, and after verification, Fairplay credits their betting wallets. —VijayV.Singh