Spanish police, with the assistance of Europol, Interpol, the Spanish Tax Agency, and Romanian Police, have successfully dismantled a highly sophisticated illegal betting and match-fixing ring. This criminal network, active since at least 2020, had been involved in corrupting athletes, including football players in Romania, and subsequently placing large, suspicious bets on various international sporting events.
What sets this operation apart is the use of satellite technology, allowing the gang to gain a significant advantage by accessing live feeds from games before legitimate bookmakers. This inside knowledge enabled them to place bets with certainty, targeting a range of sports leagues and tournaments globally, including the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The group employed various tactics to avoid detection, including betting in the names of others and enlisting mules to collect winnings on their behalf. They even corrupted a trader at a major betting company to ensure the successful validation of their bets. In total, Spanish authorities arrested 23 suspects, including the suspected ringleader.
During the operation, four houses were searched, leading to the confiscation of substantial assets, including properties, vehicles, satellite equipment, bank accounts, phones, cash, and counterfeit banknotes. This case illustrates how organized crime groups exploit any available advantage, even if it’s just a few seconds of advance knowledge, to gain significant financial gains.
Interpol secretary general Jürgen Stock emphasized the importance of such operations, as they underscore the need to continually strengthen international cooperation and law enforcement efforts to combat such criminal activities effectively.
