Bollywood Star Linked to Crypto Scam: India Intensifies Betting Allegations Probe

Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia is under investigation by India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) for her alleged involvement in promoting the “HPZ Token” platform, which is accused of defrauding investors through cryptocurrency schemes. Authorities are investigating her potential role in endorsing the platform and promoting illegal betting-related IPL content. While Bhatia's level of involvement remains unclear, the investigation is ongoing.

Tamannaah Bhatia Questioned in Cryptocurrency Fraud Investigation

The Enforcement Directorate questioned Bhatia in Guwahati over her alleged connection with "HPZ Token," a platform that is currently under investigation for defrauding investors through cryptocurrency mining. The platform is accused of money laundering after falsely promising significant returns from Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which never materialized.

In addition to her ties with HPZ Token, Bhatia faced interrogation regarding allegations of promoting illegal live broadcasts of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches through an app linked to the Mahadev online betting platform. This isn’t the first time Bhatia has faced scrutiny; she had been questioned earlier in Maharashtra on similar charges related to her promotion of the Fairplay betting app, which is currently under investigation for encouraging illegal IPL betting.

Reports suggest that Bhatia promoted IPL content on the Fairplay platform, sparking concerns about her potential role in supporting questionable activities. Investigators are also reviewing her appearance at an HPZ Token event, where she reportedly received an appearance fee, to determine whether her endorsement played a role in legitimizing the now-alleged scam.

Deeper Into the HPZ Token Case

The HPZ Token case originated from an FIR (First Information Report) filed by the Cyber Crime Police Station in Kohima, Nagaland, and was later transferred to the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The platform reportedly lured investors with promises of daily returns on an initial investment of ₹57,000 ($678), but most investors were paid only once.

So far, the ED has identified 299 entities involved in the investigation, including 76 controlled by Chinese nationals. While no incriminating evidence has yet been found against Bhatia, her association with the platform remains under investigation as authorities probe further into the case.