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Underworld's role in cricket will be a matter for scrutiny in the days to come. Though there is talk of the Dawood Ibrahim gang trying to invest in cricket, Indian Intelligence agencies told rediff.com that concrete proof has not emerged as yet, but they were looking into the matter seriously.
The funding for terror is drying up and the only two options available for the underworld funding terror is hawala and cricket.
Six months ago, the underworld and the ISI were largely reliant on three forms of trade to raise money for terror operations: arms trade, drug smuggling and fake currency. However with a global awareness on terror rising with each passing day, all countries, victims of terror, have curbed this menace to a large extent.
IB sources say the funds to the tune of Rs 3000 crore were generated every year through arms trade, drug smuggling and fake currency. Out of this the underworld contributed Rs 1800 crore towards funding terror operations.
However with the awareness being spread and the security being tightened, these businesses have taken a deep hit and the amount has come down to meagre Rs 1200 crore and both the underworld as well as the ISI is finding it hard to make two ends meet.
In the days to come, the underworld would participate more actively in hawala transactions to raise funds.
It is said that they would also indirectly try and participate in cricket operations since they realize that there is a lot of money in the sport.
Security agencies also say that the funds would have to be under tight scrutiny since the underworld is making constant efforts to enter this trade.
Earlier the underworld had played a major role in fixing games, but now it would be looking to invest money and double it since the game is a major money-spinner.
The IB says that the underworld would not invest in the game directly, but would be looking to invest the money through its stooges. The operation would look very legitimate in nature and would be very difficult to track.