Criminal network gained millions in fixing professional tennis matches 

Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, has issued a press releases to inform for an operation in relation with fraud in professional tennis competitions.

In accordance the press release, an organised crime group involved in manipulating professional tennis competitions was dismantled in an operation led by the Spanish Civil Guard and coordinated by the National High Court of Spain (Audiencia Nacional), supported by Europol. In total 83 suspects were arrested, 28 of them are professional players.

With 83 arrests, including 28 professional players, the investigation highlights how criminal networks can infiltrate even the most regulated environments. These revelations underscore the importance of thorough investigations and a legal framework that addresses not only the perpetrators but also the systemic weaknesses that allow such activities to thrive. For the accused, navigating these allegations requires precise legal support to ensure that justice is administered fairly and that individuals are not wrongfully penalized without evidence.

In cases of this magnitude, the role of legal representation is critical to preserving the integrity of the justice system. Expert defence lawyers in perth are well-equipped to handle complex cases involving allegations of fraud, corruption, or other white-collar crimes. They provide a vital service, ensuring that every defendant receives a fair trial and that due process is upheld throughout the legal proceedings.

Armenian gang watching over the matches 

The investigation was triggered in 2017 when the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) denounced irregular activities related to pre-arranged matches in the ITF Futures and Challenger tournaments. The suspects bribed professional players to guarantee predetermined results and used the identities of thousands of citizens to bet on the pre-arranged games. A criminal group of Armenian individuals used a professional tennis player, who acted as the link between the gang and the rest of the criminal group. Once they bribed the players, the Armenian network members attended the matches to ensure that the tennis players complied with what was previously agreed, and gave orders to other members of the group to go ahead with the bets placed at national and international level.

On the action day, 11 house searches were carried out in Spain in which €167 000 in cash was seized, alongside a shotgun, over 50 electronic devices, credit cards, five luxury vehicles and documentation related to the case. Furthermore, 42 bank accounts and their balances have been frozen.

Europol has supported the investigation from the beginning by providing continued analytical support. On the action day, three Europol experts were deployed to Spain to provide on-the-spot assistance including real-time cross-checks, IT forensic support, and data analysis during the operation. International police cooperation across the European Union and beyond is a crucial factor in the fight against sports corruption.

Source: Europol

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