Interpol carried out a massive operation codenamed SOGA X , dismantling thousands of illegal football betting sites and other criminal activities.
This led to over 5,100 arrests and the recovery of over $59 million in illicit proceeds. The crackdown covered 28 countries between June and July 2024, during the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, taking advantage of the increase in illegal online gambling.
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SOGA X's goal was to combat organized crime, which makes huge profits from illegal gambling, which is often associated with fraud and trafficking. The investigations led to the closure of tens of thousands of illegal websites and the rescue of trafficked workers.
In the Philippines, the operation uncovered a fraud center operating alongside a legitimate gambling website, with authorities rescuing over 650 victims.
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In Vietnam, where online gambling is illegal, authorities dismantled a sophisticated gambling ring that made $800,000 a day, while in Thailand assets worth more than $9 million were seized.
In Europe, Greek authorities dismantled an illegal betting network that operated at least seven illegal sites and used VPNs to bypass blocks.
Interpol announced that criminals were using fake accounts to gamble and launder money, spreading winnings across multiple accounts to avoid detection.
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These actions show the necessity of international cooperation in the fight against crime.
Source: cybernews
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