ED Uncovers ₹331 Crore Money-Laundering Trail Through Rapido Driver’s Account, Linked to Udaipur Wedding

Investigators at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have uncovered a staggering money-laundering network — allegedly involving at least ₹331.36 crore — using the bank account of a seemingly ordinary Rapido bike driver. According to the probe, funds from this account were routed to finance a lavish destination wedding at in Udaipur in November 2024. 

From Ride-Sharing to Money-Trail: How It Unfolded

The investigation began under the ED’s ongoing crackdown on an alleged illegal betting racket linked to 1xBet. During financial tracking, officials discovered large deposits entering the Rapido driver’s account — a total of ₹331.36 crore between 19 August 2024 and 16 April 2025. 

Notably, the driver had no known connection to the wedding’s bride or groom. Yet, funds were transferred from his account to multiple other suspicious accounts, some linked to entities associated with illicit betting operations. One of these transfers reportedly funded the wedding expenses at Taj Aravalli Resort, raising red flags about misuse of “mule accounts” to launder illicit money through legitimate-looking transactions. 

Luxury Wedding Masks Money Laundering, ED Says

The wedding, described in social media and some media reports as a “royal-style destination extravaganza,” allegedly cost over ₹1 crore. The ED’s finding that the financing came via a third-party — and that the funds flowed through a driver’s account — turned a seemingly celebratory event into a potential conduit for laundering illicit gambling proceeds. 

What This Means: Mule Accounts, Betting, and Financial Crimes

The case starkly illustrates how criminal networks — including illegal betting rings — are using unsuspecting individuals’ bank accounts to mask the origin of large sums. What may appear like legitimate transactions on the surface can be part of a deeper web of money laundering. The ED has underlined that lending one’s account, or acting as a “mule,” can carry serious criminal liability.

Such naked misuse of financial channels undermines efforts to maintain transparency in India’s financial system — from banking to real estate, hospitality and event management. It casts doubt on the legitimacy of large expenditures funded via complex or opaque routes.

ED Issues Public Warning — Don’t Loan Accounts

In view of this case, the ED has issued a broad warning to the public:

• Do not share your bank account, UPI credentials, debit/credit card or net-banking access with others.
• Do not sign cheques or financial documents for people you don’t know or trust.
• Always verify source and destination of any large deposit or transaction in your name. Report suspicious activity immediately.
• Be wary of offers promising quick money in exchange for using your financial identity. What may seem like “easy cash” could be proceeds of crime. 

Why This Investigation Matters for India’s Fight Against Economic Crime

This revelation underscores growing sophistication in money-laundering methods: from illegal betting and hawala networks to seemingly innocent proxies like ride-share drivers or gig-economy workers whose accounts serve as conduits for illicit money.

With digital payments and banking becoming increasingly common, regulatory agencies like ED are raising the bar on detection — focusing not just on large shell-companies, but on individual “mule accounts” that can be exploited to hide crime proceeds. Cases like this may pave the way for stricter scrutiny, tighter compliance norms for real-estate and event financing, and more vigilance over sources of funds.

Next Steps — What’s at Stake

The ED is now tracing the full money trail — both backward to the origin (betting networks) and forward to all final destinations, including luxury events, real-estate, possible overseas transfers or purchases made with the funds. Records from banks, transaction logs, communications and linked accounts are being analysed to build a comprehensive case. 

Should charges be filed and proven, the accused and associated persons may face severe penalties under India’s money-laundering laws — including seizure of assets, criminal prosecution, and long-term prison terms. The investigation could also result in fresh guidelines for verifying the source of funds for high-value events, property purchases and financial transfers.

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