Azerbaijani police crack down on major online gambling syndicate Seize Millions in Cash, Assets

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has disrupted a criminal network involved in organizing illegal online gambling, according to a statement from the Cybercrime Department.

Thus, the group’s leader, Elchin Guliyev, Orkhan Mammadov and four other individuals were arrested, Caliber.Az reports.

Investigators revealed that over 40 people were involved in the illegal operation.

The criminal network used mobile phone numbers registered in Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, and other countries, while also running illicit gambling websites such as Fast Loto, CHCPlay, and MostBet. Social media was utilized to lure people into gambling, with payments processed via bank cards.

Authorities seized nearly 1,000 bank cards, 30 mobile phone numbers registered to fictitious individuals, 2 million manats in cash, and other material evidence during raids. The turnover of the criminal group is estimated to have exceeded 10 million manats.

“Elchin Guliyev was also found to be laundering the proceeds of his criminal activities by setting up fictitious companies in his name and that of his close relatives,” the MIA said in a statement.

The criminal assets, including flats, land plots, dachas, commercial properties, and luxury vehicles purchased with illicit funds, have been frozen by the court.

An investigation has been launched, and arrest warrants have been issued for Guliyev and four of his accomplices. Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the network’s operations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev