The Spanish National Police has made a series of arrests in connection with the dismantling of an organised crime group suspected of fixing sports events and using technology to place bets ahead of bookmakers.
Some 23 arrests have been made through a joint effort with the Spanish Tax Agency, Europol and Interpol. This includes one of the group’s leaders subject of an Interpol Red Notice for persons wanted internationally for match-fixing activities.
The joint operation began in 2020 when Spanish officers identified suspicious online sports bets placed on international table tennis events. Further investigation uncovered a criminal network of Romanian and Bulgarian origin.
According to Interpol, the group fixed matches outside of Spain by corrupting athletes. Once outcomes were agreed, crime group members in Spain placed online bets on what Interpol described as a “massive” scale.
Criminals get ahead of bookmakers
Officers also discovered a criminal process whereby the group acces..