Varanasi: Cyber Crime Police on Tuesday busted an online gambling racket operating behind Sadbhavana Park, just 100 metres from Cantt police station. Police arrested eight persons for allegedly running betting operations through the Bhagya Lakshmi app and website. Police recovered Rs. 68,275 in cash and 11 mobile phones from the spot.ACP Cyber Crime Vinay Dwivedi said those arrested were Pawan Agrahari, Anshuman Chandra, Deepak Kumar Gupta, Mohammad Khurshid, Lalit Mohan alias Sonu, Vikas Kumar Gupta alias Vicky, all residents of Sadar Bazaar Cantt, Sunil Kumar of Nachni Kuan, Adampur and Shiv Kumar Sahani of Tripura Bhairavi Ghat, Dashashwamedh.Investigation revealed they were operating an online betting network through a website. The gang contacted customers and shared the website link to enable betting. Players were made to place number-based bets at different times after making payments in cash or online.According to police, the gang analysed the most frequently selected numbers and manipulated results, causing financial losses to players while generating profits for the operators. WhatsApp groups and other messaging apps were used to contact customers, collect payments and manage the network.Digital evidence related to betting was found during examination of the seized mobile phones. Police said the devices will undergo detailed digital forensic analysis. Several phone numbers have been identified, which may provide important leads in the investigation.Police said the real mastermind of the racket will be arrested soon. Betting slips, account records and other digital evidence have also been recovered. Cyber Crime police station in charge Inspector Udayveer Singh said other members of the gang, financial beneficiaries and technical collaborators are being identified and strict legal action will be taken against them.