Cyberpolice has exposed “several criminal groups” involved in organizing rigged esports matches. Real sports celebrities were involved.
The defendants organized rigged international matches in “cyber football, cyber basketball, table tennis, football, basketball.” Knowing the outcomes in advance, they made illicit profits through bets at bookmaker’s offices.
To spread their influence, attract online fans and their money, the organizers used the support of real sports celebrities. This brought tens of thousands of fans to the rigged matches.
“Some of the group members – former world-class athletes, used connections established over years of professional activity to organize ‘rigged’ matches between cyber athletes from Australia, Europe, and Ukraine,” — notes the Cyberpolice.
Through bribery, coercion, intimidation, or instigation, the group forced match participants to deliberately lose. Sometimes previously convicted individuals were involved, who intimidated the cyber athletes using weapons. Around ten players have suffered because of this. However, financial rewards were sometimes offered as well.
The criminals themselves or their proxies placed bets at bookmaking offices registered on nearly every continent. Preliminary calculations of the profits speak of millions of hryvnias in illicit gains. The money was laundered through the purchase of real estate, cars, and other assets, which were later resold. Transactions were made in cryptocurrency.
Law enforcement conducted simultaneous searches in the homes and cars of the suspects and potential accomplices across Ukraine. In addition to physical evidence, digital evidence was also seized, despite attempts to destroy it (such as smashed smartphones). The investigation required cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Australia. As a result, the Cyberpolice obtained information about the activities of the suspects overseas.
“Investigative actions are carried out within the framework of a criminal case initiated under part 5 of Article 190 (Fraud), part 3 of Article 203-2 (Illegal activity in organizing or conducting gambling, lotteries), parts 1 and 3 of Article 369-3 (Unlawful influence on the results of official sports competitions), part 4 of Article 189 (Extortion) and part 3 of Article 209 (Legalization (laundering) of property obtained by criminal means). The maximum penalty under these articles includes up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.”
The National Police have issued a suspicion notice to one of the organizers. Investigative actions continue to identify all participants, including those abroad, establish the victims, and assess the damage caused.
Source: Cyberpolice
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