MUMBAI: The Mahadev Online Book (MOB) scam has unveiled a complex web of operations controlled by a group of seven individuals. Initially thought to be masterminded by just two men, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have revealed a larger conspiracy involving several key figures.

Among the newly identified masterminds are Ratan Lal Jain, Hari Shankar Tibrewal, Girish Talreja, and Shubham Soni, also known as Pintu Bhaiyya, alongside Chandrakar and Uppal. This group allegedly orchestrated the illegal activities of MOB, a betting platform that has come under intense scrutiny.

According to an ED officer familiar with the case, this cooperative structure allowed the group to effectively manage operations while obscuring individual accountability. The ED's investigations have highlighted that these five individuals allegedly paid ₹76 lakhs to lower-level operatives to ensure their names remained hidden during inquiries.

Lark Marshall, a German national, has been identified as the technical brain behind the MOB, having designed the betting application. Meanwhile, the day-to-day operations, revenue generation, and reinvestment of profits were managed by the six Indian members of the group.

Further complicating matters, it appears the top tier of the MOB organized a strategy among its branch operators in India. They directed these operators to shift the blame entirely onto Chandrakar and Uppal if questioned by authorities. This strategy came into play following the initiation of the investigation in 2022.

Witness testimony from Paramjeet Singh, who allegedly managed operations for 490 MOB panels across India, has shed light on the cooperative nature of the organization. Singh’s insights reveal how Chandrakar, who previously sold sugarcane juice, and Uppal, who owned a small tire shop in Bhilai, transitioned into leading an international operation worth millions of dollars.

As the investigation unfolds, the intricate dynamics within the Mahadev Online Book scam continue to emerge, highlighting the lengths to which the masterminds went to shield their identities and manipulate the operation's structure. With the ED tightening its grip on the case, further revelations are likely as the agency delves deeper into the workings of this multi-crore scam.