The Messi visit scandal: ₹200+ crore fraud under investigation
Edited By WION Video Desk
Published: Sep 04, 2026, 22:50 IST | Updated: Sep 04, 2026, 22:50 IST
Kerala has launched a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the failed plan to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team to the state. Investigators flagged ₹22.68 crore in unpaid Integrated GST linked to a private sponsor’s foreign money transfers, alongside additional suspicious fund transfers exceeding ₹206 crore. With no formal contract in place and money routed via foreign channels, authorities are probing multi-crore tax evasion and money laundering.
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