Law enforcement officers of Ukraine, with the support of the National Sports Integrity Platform, exposed several criminal groups that organized match-fixing in various sports, including cyber football, cyber basketball, table tennis, football and basketball. Criminals received millions of hryvnias in illegal profits through bookmakers. About this informs Cyber police of Ukraine.
The gangs included former world-class athletes who used their connections acquired over the years of professional activity to organize contractual matches. Competitions with their participation attracted e-sportsmen from Ukraine, Australia and European countries. As part of international cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Australia, additional information was obtained about the activities of criminals in this country.
The investigation established that those involved forced players to lose matches through bribery, coercion, intimidation and incitement. As part of the special operation, law enforcement officers conducted 45 searches throughout Ukraine, including searches of cars and residences of the suspects and their accomplices. In the course of the searches, numerous pieces of evidence confirming criminal activity were seized.
Cyber police also documented digital evidence, despite attempts by some involved to hide or destroy their devices. The investigation is being conducted under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including fraud, coercion, bribery and money laundering. The maximum punishment under these articles is up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
