Indian-Origin US Politician Booked in Gambling Scam

An Indian-origin politician in the United States has been named among the 39 accused individuals in a major illegal gambling scam. Anand Shah, a New Jersey councilman, has been named among the accused after two years of investigation. It was reported that these individuals engaged in illegal gambling of more than $3 million and were tied to the Lucchese organised crime family.

According to officials Anand Shah and George Zappola, a senior member of the Lucchese family has been identified as the main culprit in this scam.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin stated that organised crime in 2025 may look different than it did 50 years ago. “Especially thanks to the online component, and some of the language may have changed, but it’s the same old story, criminals motivated by greed and power who think they are above the law,” he stated/

Reportedly, Anand Shah played a key role in managing an online sports book and monitoring illegal poker games. The officials have also discovered four illegal betting spots in the investigation at Totowa, Garfield, Woodland Park, and Paterson.

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