LYON, France— An Interpol operation targeting illegal
gambling during Euro 2020 led to 1,400 arrests and the seizure of $7.9 million
in cash, the Lyon-based global crime agency reported on Tuesday.
اضافة اعلان
Thousands of raids in Asia and Europe also resulted in the
confiscation of computers and mobile phones connected to almost $465 million in
bets.
"While most of us were watching the UEFA European
Football Championship as simple fans, hundreds of specialized officers across
28 countries were targeting organized crime groups looking to earn millions
from illegal
gambling and related money laundering activities," an
Interpol statement read.
Hong Kong police detained more than 800 suspects,
"including the alleged kingpin of a triad-controlled bookmaking
syndicate," the statement said.
In what was described as one of Hong Kong's most successful
operations ever they seized $2.7 million in cash and records detailing hundreds
of millions in bets.
In Italy, home of the European champions at the
pandemic-delayed tournament, Operation SOGA VIII inspected 280 betting shops
and delivered 1.3 million euros in sanctions for illegal betting schemes.
In all, Interpol's eight SOGA operations have led to more
than 19,000 arrests, cash seizures of more than $63 million and the closure of
over 4,000 illegal betting dens.
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