With the assistance of the National Platform, police disrupted the operations of a large-scale scheme involving the bribery of athletes

Law enforcement officers stopped the activities of groups that manipulated the results of matches in esports, table tennis and football by bribing or coercing players. The criminals knew the results in advance and used it to place bets in betting shops, earning millions of hryvnias.

The organisers involved well-known athletes to increase the credibility and popularity of the broadcasts, which were watched by thousands of viewers. They also used intimidation, monetary offers and cooperation with previously convicted individuals to put pressure on the athletes. So far, about 10 players are known to have been affected in this way.

The funds were legalised through cryptocurrencies, luxury real estate and cars. Law enforcement officers, with the force support of the TacTeam special unit of the TOR battalion of the Patrol Police Department, conducted 45 simultaneous searches throughout Ukraine in cars, at the addresses of registration and residence of the offenders and their possible accomplices. Material evidence of criminal activity was seized. The cyber police also recorded digital evidence of the offenders' illegal activities, despite the fact that some of the suspects tried to hide or destroy the gadgets belonging to them. The criminals worked not only in Ukraine but also abroad, in particular in Australia, Europe and America, placing bets personally or through proxies on the resources of bookmakers registered in the above countries.

The large-scale investigation is being conducted under the Criminal Code's articles on fraud, illegal activities in organising or conducting gambling, lotteries, unlawful influence on the results of official sports competitions, extortion and legalisation (laundering) of the proceeds of crime. The penalty is up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. Investigators continue to identify all those involved, including the victims, and determine the final amount of damage. The investigation is ongoing.

We remind you that the website of the National Platform allows you to report cases of manipulation of sports competitions.