New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen assets worth ₹192 crore connected to the real-money gaming application WinZO, continuing its investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to the platform. The action followed searches conducted at the premises of the company’s accounting firm, officials said.
The assets were frozen in connection with ZO Games Pvt Ltd, which is the wholly owned Indian subsidiary of WinZO Pvt Ltd. According to the ED, the move forms part of a broader probe into alleged criminal practices and suspected violations related to the operation of the gaming app.
In a statement, the ED alleged that the company had engaged in unlawful activities by deploying bots, artificial intelligence, and software tools to simulate games on its platform. The agency claimed that these simulated games were operated without informing users, raising serious concerns about transparency and fairness in the gaming process.
The enforcement agency further stated that these alleged practices resulted in the generation of illegal proceeds. As per the findings shared by the ED, the company is believed to have earned proceeds of crime amounting to ₹177 crore during the period between May 2024 and August 2025.
The latest freezing of ₹192 crore in assets adds to the scale of action already taken in the case. The ED said that earlier stages of the investigation had resulted in assets worth ₹505 crore being frozen in connection with the same matter. These previous actions were also part of the ongoing probe into the alleged financial misconduct.
According to the agency, the investigation is focused on examining the flow of funds, the operational mechanisms of the gaming platform, and the role of associated entities. The searches conducted at the accounting firm were aimed at gathering financial records and documents relevant to the case.
The ED maintained that the use of automated systems such as bots and artificial intelligence to simulate gameplay, without disclosure to users, amounted to deceptive practices. The agency alleged that such methods were used to unlawfully generate revenue, which was then classified as proceeds of crime under applicable laws.
Officials said that the freezing of assets is a preventive measure intended to ensure that the suspected proceeds are not diverted or dissipated while the investigation is underway. The frozen assets are expected to remain under restriction until further directions are issued based on the progress and outcome of the probe.
The enforcement agency also indicated that the investigation is still ongoing and that additional steps may be taken in the coming period. According to the ED, further action will depend on the evidence collected and the conclusions drawn as the probe advances.
The case against WinZO and its Indian subsidiary has drawn attention due to the scale of the alleged financial transactions and the growing scrutiny of real-money gaming platforms in the country. However, the ED has not disclosed further details regarding specific individuals or additional entities that may be under investigation at this stage.
As of now, the agency has reiterated that the matter remains under active investigation. The ED stated that it will continue to examine all relevant aspects of the case and take action in accordance with the law based on the findings.
With the latest asset freeze of ₹192 crore, the total value of assets frozen in connection with the case has increased significantly. The enforcement agency has made it clear that the probe is ongoing and that more developments are expected as the investigation progresses.
