Over 5,000 arrests in INTERPOL led global illegal football gambling raid

Jenny Ortiz October 21, 2024

In a coordinated international effort, The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) led a sweeping operation, codenamed SOGA X, to dismantle illegal football betting networks.

Conducted between June and July 2024, the operation resulted in over 5,100 arrests and seised more than $59 million in illegal proceeds. The crackdown, executed across 28 countries and territories, focused on unlawful online gambling activities that surged during the UEFA 2024 European Football Championship, a prime opportunity for criminal syndicates to exploit.

Launched to counter the escalating threat of illicit gambling — an industry valued at $1.7 trillion globally — SOGA X uncovered a vast array of criminal activities tied to human trafficking and money laundering. Authorities shut down tens of thousands of illegal websites, disrupting gambling operations that spanned multiple nations.

Web of crime exposed: 5,100 arrests in illegal football gambling crackdown.

Operation SOGA X targeting illegal football gambling and its associated criminal activity, resulted in the recovery of more than USD 59 million in illicit proceeds.

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— INTERPOL 🚨 #ForASaferWorld (@INTERPOL_HQ) October 17, 2024

Human trafficking network dismantled in the Philippines

In the Philippines, local authorities with INTERPOL’s support, dismantled a scam centre linked to a licensed gambling site. The raid resulted in the rescue of over 650 human trafficking victims, including nearly 400 Filipinos and more than 250 foreign nationals. These individuals had been lured under false employment promises and were forced to work under duress for both legitimate gambling sites and illegal cyber scams.

Victims were subjected to threats, passport confiscation, and coercion into labour for the gambling operation. The raid revealed multiple fraudulent schemes, including cryptocurrency scams, romance fraud, and cybercrimes. Interpol provided on-the-ground support, conducting forensic analysis of digital devices and tracing illicit financial flows, which helped identify more victims and suspects.

Crackdowns in Vietnam and Thailand: Gambling syndicates and financial fraud

SOGA X also targeted significant illegal gambling operations in Vietnam and Thailand, exposing widespread financial fraud and money laundering schemes. In Vietnam, where online gambling is strictly prohibited, authorities dismantled a sophisticated syndicate processing $800,000 in daily transactions. The network utilised servers across multiple countries and a web of bank accounts and e-wallets to manage illegal bets and payouts.

In Thailand, law enforcement raided two major betting operations, arresting key figures and confiscating over $9 million in assets. The raids unveiled complex methods used by criminals to launder illicit gambling proceeds.

Match-fixing and identity fraud in Greece

In Greece, authorities dismantled an organised crime group involved in match-fixing and gambling fraud. The syndicate operated seven illegal gambling websites and accessed an additional 60 using stolen identities and forged documents. Investigators uncovered 9,000 fake identification cards and about 3,000 mule user accounts used to place illegal sports bets. The group employed VPNs to bypass internet restrictions and launder illegal gambling profits.

Global coordination and future efforts

INTERPOL worked closely with organisations like the Asia-Pacific Expert Group on Organised Crime (APEG) and UEFA to facilitate intelligence sharing and provide training for law enforcement agencies across the participating countries.

SOGA X not only targeted illegal gambling but also disrupted associated criminal activities, including human trafficking, money laundering, and match-fixing. Ongoing investigations aim to uncover additional incidents of sports manipulation, as criminal syndicates continue to exploit illegal gambling for financial gain.