ED Arrests WinZO Founders in Money Laundering Probe
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested WinZO Games co-founders Saumya Singh Rathore and Paavan Nanda in connection with a money laundering investigation. The arrests were made in Bengaluru following hours of questioning at the agency’s zonal office.
Key Developments
- Founders Saumya Singh Rathore and Paavan Nanda taken into ED custody
- Arrested in Bengaluru after extensive questioning
- Court grants one-day custody; extended remand likely
- Probe centers on Rs 43 crore allegedly retained from gamers
Legal Proceedings
Both founders were produced before a Bengaluru court the same night and remanded to one-day ED custody. They are expected to be presented again as the agency seeks extended remand for further investigation.
Financial Scrutiny
The enforcement action follows the ED’s statement that WinZO retained approximately Rs 43 crore belonging to gamers. The agency maintains these funds should have been refunded to users after India banned real-money gaming on August 22, 2025.
