‘Matka’ Is Back In Andheri – Police Busts Racket

In a swift operation, the Mumbai Police busted an illegal online lottery racket running under the guise of a tech-savvy front in the busy Andheri East area, dismantling a budding Andheri crime. The action, led by the Andheri Crime Detection Unit, resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old man who allegedly operated the illegal lottery centre.

According to the FIR, a tip-off received by a member of the police’s crime branch led to a surveillance and decoy operation. The informant reported that an individual was running an unauthorised lottery from a location near Gaikwad Footwear, adjacent to Vishal Hall on Andheri-Kurla Road. Upon confirmation of illegal gambling activity, a police team executed a carefully planned raid.

Police discovered that the operator was collecting money from customers and issuing them printed coupons with random number combinations. These tickets were generated through a computer system and linked to an online game that refreshed every 15 minutes — a setup designed to mimic legal lottery operations but operating without any valid licensing.

During the raid, officials seized key evidence from the location, including:

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• A full computer setup with a Lenovo CPU, a Dell monitor, and accessories
• A laser scanner and other devices used to process tickets
• Printed lottery tickets showing unique numbers, barcodes, and timestamps
• ₹5,100 in cash found on the premises
• Transaction logs and promotional material

The suspect confessed to running the entire lottery operation himself and claimed ownership of the setup. Police believe the operation aimed to mislead unsuspecting customers into thinking the scheme was legal, taking advantage of digital platforms and fast-changing game rounds to avoid detection.

A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Maharashtra Gambling Prohibition Act of 1887 and the Maharashtra Lotteries (Regulation and Taxation) Act of 1958. The arrested individual has been taken into custody, and all materials have been sealed and sent for forensic review.

Authorities have emphasized that this is part of a larger crackdown on illegal digital gambling rings that exploit online platforms to lure participants. Investigations are ongoing, and officials are probing deeper into possible links to wider networks and digital payment systems.

This action sends a strong message to operators of unlicensed gaming platforms – Mumbai Police is watching, and high-tech crime won’t stay hidden for long.