Spain dismantles global match-fixing ring with INTERPOL support

In a coordinated effort involving the Spanish National Police, the Spanish Tax Agency, Europol, and INTERPOL, a major organized crime group suspected of match-fixing in sports events and employing technology to place bets ahead of bookmakers has been successfully dismantled. This operation has led to the arrest of 23 suspects, including one of the group’s leaders apprehended based on an INTERPOL Red Notice for individuals wanted internationally.

The operation, which commenced in 2020, was initiated when Spanish authorities detected suspicious online sports bets on international table tennis events. Through thorough data analysis, investigators uncovered a criminal network of Romanian and Bulgarian origin responsible for fixing matches outside of Spain by corrupting athletes. Once match outcomes were predetermined, members of the group located in Spain would place large-scale online bets.

Gaining an Advantage Over Bookmakers:

Investigations revealed the group’s modus operandi, allowing them to access match information ahead of bookmakers. Leveraging advanced technology, they gained access to live video signals directly from stadiums, pitches, and arenas worldwide. Intercepting these signals provided a significant advantage over bookmakers reliant on slower satellite feeds and relays for the same events. This process was repeated across various sports leagues and events, including football leagues in Asia and South America, the UEFA Nations League, Bundesliga, Qatar 2022 World Cup matches, ATP, and ITF tennis tournaments.

Despite collecting substantial payouts, the group managed to evade detection by using numerous identities and accounts. Among those arrested was a trader from a major bookmaker who collaborated with the criminal group, validating online bets placed by them.

INTERPOL Notices Prove Decisive:
INTERPOL, through its Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, played a crucial role in supporting the investigation. The INTERPOL Match-Fixing Task Force (IMFTF) was fully mobilized, utilizing INTERPOL’s global policing capabilities. Three INTERPOL Notices were issued during the operation:

– A Purple Notice warning member countries of the modus operandi linked to the interception of
satellite signals.
-A Blue Notice to obtain more information on the group’s leader.
– A Red Notice seeking the location and arrest of the group’s leader.

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock emphasized the importance of closing even the smallest of gaps that organized crime groups exploit and praised successful operations like this one for reaffirming INTERPOL’s commitment to supporting police with its suite of Notices, databases, and expert networks.

IMFTF specialists collaborated with Spanish authorities during house raids, aiding in data extraction and analysis from seized devices, cross-referencing information across INTERPOL’s databases, and tracking assets and money laundering channels. This operation led to the blocking of 47 bank accounts and 28 payment gateways across multiple countries, with seizures including mobile phones, satellite dishes, cash, counterfeit banknotes, credit and debit cards, identification documents, and prepaid SIM cards.

Further arrests are expected as authorities work to identify additional group members and athletes who accepted bribes. The operation’s outcomes were presented during the annual meeting of IMFTF members in Buenos Aires, Argentina.