Guwahati: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday carried out coordinated search operations across 22 locations in multiple states, targeting individuals linked to the controversial “Dear Lottery” business.
The raids were conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an ongoing investigation against Santiago Martin, the alleged mastermind behind the operation, and his company, M/s Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited.
The searches spanned several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Punjab. The operation revealed a substantial cache of assets, with ED officials recovering a staggering Rs. 12.41 crore in cash from various premises linked to Martin and his associates. In addition to the cash, the ED also seized numerous incriminating documents and digital devices, believed to be crucial to the investigation.
The agency also froze a Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) worth Rs. 6.42 crore during the raids, adding to the financial pressure on the accused. These findings are expected to play a pivotal role in the ongoing probe into alleged money laundering activities connected to the “Dear Lottery” scam, which has been under scrutiny for some time.
Santiago Martin, the key figure in the case, is accused of running a large-scale illegal lottery business through his company, Future Gaming and Hotel Services. The lottery is alleged to have been involved in money laundering, with proceeds funneled through multiple channels and used for various illicit activities.
The ED’s action follows an extensive investigation into the operations of Martin’s network, which has raised serious concerns about the scale of financial irregularities in the lottery business. The seized cash and assets are believed to be linked to the proceeds of unlawful activities carried out by the accused.
The Enforcement Directorate has indicated that further action will be taken in the coming days, as it continues to probe the illegal operations and financial dealings of the individuals involved. This raid is part of the ED’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on financial crimes and ensure that those involved in illicit money laundering schemes are brought to justice.
As of now, Santiago Martin and his associates have yet to make a public statement regarding the raids. However, authorities have made it clear that the investigation is far from over and will continue to unfold in the coming weeks.
According to the Martin Foundation website, Santiago Martin is the founder and chairman of the Martin Group of Companies. He began his career in the lottery industry at the age of 13 and later expanded his business across multiple regions in India, including South India, the Northeast (with Martin Sikkim Lottery), West Bengal, Punjab, and Maharashtra, establishing a network of buyers and sellers.
The Martin Group of Companies employs over 1,000 staff and works with more than 260 stockists across various lottery-playing states. In addition to its operations in the lottery sector, the group has diversified into other business ventures, both in India and internationally, including in Myanmar with Martin Yangon. The company continues to focus on technology-driven projects and fresh investments.