Cops Crack High-Tech Global Match Fixing, Sports Betting OperationSuspicious Bets On Table Tennis Led To Discovery |
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Having some information on a sporting event before the bookmakers do can certainly help savvy gamblers. That’s exactly what Spanish law enforcement and Interpol are saying occurred after recently busting a high-tech sports betting ring “that fixed a range of sporting events and exploited technology to place their bets before bookmakers could.”
The outfit was discovered in 2020 after authorities noticed unusual betting on an unlikely sport – table tennis. The group is believed to have used satellite technology to view live sports feeds from stadiums before bookmakers could set or change betting lines. Police allege the suspects, who are of Bulgarian and Romanian origin, would also bribe athletes from those countries and place large bets in Spain.
“Organized crime groups will exploit the tiniest of gaps given the opportunity,” Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock said. “In this case, we’re talking about a 20- or 30-second advantage that led to significant gains. Successful operations such as the one led by Spain only reaffirm our engagement in ensuring our entire suite of Notices, databases and expert networks fully support police in closing these gaps.”
A Wide Network Of Bribery, Match Fixing, And Betting
As part of the investigation police searched four houses and seized cell phones, bank accounts, satellite dishes and signal receivers, cash, €13,000 in counterfeit banknotes, credit and debit cards, identification documents, and prepaid SIM cards. The group mostly focused on betting on soccer matches in leagues around the world, according to police.
Arrests in the case began last June, with more coming earlier this year. Police didn’t realize the scope of the scheme, however, until consulting with colleagues last month at the annual Interpol Match-Fixing Task Force meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“The group placed their bets in the names of other people, to avoid suspicion,” InfoSecurity magazine reports. “These mules collected winnings on their behalf. The group also corrupted a trader at a major betting company in order to secure the successful validation of the bets.”
*Photo by Pexels – Anna Shvetts
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