China: police busy with black market during the Euro 24

Garance Limouzy July 4, 2024

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China: police busy with black market during the Euro 24

In China, the authorities are facing a surge of illegal online gambling activities linked to the football tournament currently taking place in Germany, Euro 24.

In recent weeks, Chinese authorities have reported successful operations dismantling illegal online gambling activities and networks. Leading the charge, the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau announced the arrest of 21 suspects in three separate operations. These efforts?uncovered a complex network of illegal activities, including the creation of fake betting sites mimicking the official Euro 24 platform. These sites, cleverly designed to attract unsuspecting bettors with promises of high returns, instead led to financial losses.

In Chengdu, Sichuan Province, authorities apprehended two suspects accused of orchestrating a scheme via a WeChat group, allegedly amassing substantial bets with falsified betting odds.

In Shanghai, deceptive text messages falsely claiming recipients had won Euro 24 prizes were reported. These messages, if clicked, risked revealing personal information or extorting money under false pretences.

In total, 181 people were arrested by the police for gambling-related crimes between the months of January and May.

Borderless crime, coordinated efforts

Hong Kong authorities mirrored China’s efforts, arresting 62 individuals involved in illegal gambling activities related to Euro 24. The charges ranged from conspiracy to commit bookmaking, to money laundering. The amount involved is reported to exceed HK$460 million ($58.9 million). The investigations are ongoing and backed by collaborative efforts with mainland China and international counterparts.

Thailand’s fight against Euro 24-related illegal gambling also intensified.?The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau targeted networks within the country, arresting several suspects involved in transnational gambling networks.

Recently, in Bangkok, Thai authorities executed Operation “SHUTDOWN EURO BET,” resulting in the arrest of key figures managing a significant Chinese online gambling network. Seizures included luxury vehicles, large sums of cash,?and various assets.