From stolen chain to Dubai wedding: How UP YouTuber Anurag Dwivedi landed under ED scanner

YouTuber Anurag Dwivedi's assets are under ED scanner. (Image: X/@vannumeena0)

A gold chain allegedly stolen from his uncle’s house helped Unnao’s Anurag Dwivedi buy his first smartphone — a device that would eventually open the door to YouTube fame, fantasy gaming apps and staggering wealth. Luxury cars, offshore investments and a lavish five-day wedding aboard a Dubai cruise followed. Today, Dwivedi finds himself under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), accused of laundering crores of rupees through illegal betting networks and overseas investments. Dwivedi, who is currently in Dubai, has denied all allegations, according to News18.

According to the ED, searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after specific intelligence inputs flagged illegal online betting operations. ED teams simultaneously raided 10 locations linked to Dwivedi across Unnao, Lucknow and Delhi, covering residential premises, offices and properties associated with his associates.

Officials said multiple bank accounts linked to Dwivedi and his entities were frozen, holding around Rs 3 crore. During the searches, Rs 20 lakh in unaccounted cash was recovered from his residence, while four high-end luxury vehicles, including a Lamborghini valued at approximately Rs 4.18 crore, were seized. Investigators also examined documents and digital devices related to suspected hawala transactions and overseas fund transfers.

ED Flags Overseas Investments

The agency said it has found preliminary evidence suggesting that proceeds generated through illegal betting platforms were routed out of India and invested in real estate assets in Dubai. ED sources added that further custodial questioning and forensic examination of financial records are likely as the probe progresses.

A Disrupted Education, a Digital Turn

Dwivedi’s formal education followed an uneven path. Locals and family members said he studied till Class 8 at City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow. Though enrolled in Class 9, he stopped attending school. Subsequent admissions at Adarsh Vidya Mandir and later JP Convent School in Unnao also ended in a similar manner, and by the time board examinations were due, the family realised he had effectively dropped out.

His father, Laxminath Dwivedi, who runs a medical store in Nawabganj, said the family remained unaware of Anurag’s online activities for years. “When he was young, he stole a gold chain from his uncle and sold it to buy a mobile phone,” Laxminath said. “Later, someone told us he was already famous on YouTube, with thousands of followers. That was when we realised what he was doing.”

Villagers said that phone marked the beginning of Anurag’s immersion into online gaming, fantasy sports apps and social media content creation. Over time, he built teams linked to betting and gaming platforms, attracting followers — and money — at a pace that surprised even those close to him.

A Mansion That Stands Apart

Khajur village, around 27 kilometres from Unnao district headquarters, has barely 20–25 houses, most of them belonging to Dalit families. Against this backdrop, Dwivedi’s residence stands out sharply. Spread across nearly three bighas, the property is surrounded by 10-foot-high boundary walls topped with glass, a towering iron gate and CCTV cameras.

During the ED raids, family members reportedly declined to speak to the media, saying Anurag was not present. Some villagers alleged intimidation. “They have money and influence. Complaints don’t go anywhere,” a woman living nearby claimed. Others preferred to stay silent. “If we speak, agencies might call us for questioning,” a local youth said off camera.

Cars, Crores and Conflicting Claims

Dwivedi has insisted that all his earnings came from registered companies and legal platforms. He has claimed that earlier raids conducted during the IPL season yielded nothing and alleged that his name was wrongly linked to a Kolkata-based betting case.

He also detailed his automobile purchases over the years — starting with a Maruti Dzire in February 2019, followed by a BMW, Ford Endeavour, Mercedes-Benz, Mahindra Thar, BMW Z4, Land Rover Defender and finally a Lamborghini. Financial pressure last year, he said, forced him to sell some vehicles after exiting a sports media firm.

Both Dwivedi and his father claim he is among the highest income tax payers in Unnao. “He has paid around Rs 5 crore in tax over the last three years,” Laxminath said. Anurag claims the amount is higher, citing tax paid through relatives’ PAN cards in earlier arrangements.

The Dubai Wedding That Drew Attention

Public attention peaked with Dwivedi’s wedding on November 21, 2025. The venue was the Queen Elizabeth 2, a luxury cruise hotel docked in Dubai. Around 100 guests were flown in from India, with passports arranged for those who did not already have one. The celebrations stretched over five days, with accommodation, food and sightseeing fully sponsored.

In Nawabganj, shopkeepers still recall the scale of the event. “People said entire flights were booked,” said Kanhaiya Lala, a fruit seller near the family’s medical store. Guests returned with videos showcasing an opulence rarely associated with the region.

Dwivedi’s father believes the wedding triggered complaints. “So much display creates resentment,” he said. “I warned him against excessive show.”