Lionel Messi event row: Rs 200 crore arrived in sponsor's account, SIT to intensify probe

KOCHI: The investigation team found something crucial in the fraud behind the unsuccessful attempt made by the former government to bring football star Lionel Messi and his Argentina team to Kerala. The investigation team suspected a mystery behind the huge amount of money flowing into the bank accounts of sponsor Anto Augustine and Reporter Broadcasting Company. Rs 200 crore has been received into the account from two prominent financial institutions. The GST department will issue a notice to the sponsor to disclose the source of this money.

The money came from two external accounts after the sponsor admitted paying Rs 126 crore to bring Messi to Kerala. The investigation team also found that this Rs 200 crore was transferred to another account. The sponsor said this money was received as a loan. However, the investigation team are yet to see any documents to substantiate this.

Earlier, the sponsor had claimed that the stadium renovation was carried out using his own money and not from any external source. However, the investigation team has now made findings that refute this. The Special Investigation Team has intensified its probe into this fraud.