https://igamingexpress.com/12-people-money-laundering-linked-online-gambling/

Spanish authorities arrested 12 suspects linked to a criminal network that laundered approximately €4.75 million through online gambling by exploiting vulnerable Ukrainian women.

Exploitation and Account Takeovers

The operation, led by Spain’s Policía Nacional in cooperation with the National Police of Ukraine, targeted a criminal organisation involved in trafficking in human beings, fraud and money laundering. Eight suspects were arrested in Alicante and four in Valencia, while coordinated searches were also conducted in Ukraine.

According to investigators, the group initially used stolen personal data of Spanish citizens to open bank accounts. They later shifted tactics, recruiting Ukrainian women who had been granted temporary protection status in Spain. Many of the victims came from war-affected regions and were reported to be in highly vulnerable situations.

The suspects arranged for the women to travel to Spain, accompanied them to open bank accounts and then sent them back to Ukraine shortly afterwards, maintaining control over the accounts and associated financial instruments.

Online Gambling as a Laundering Channel

The criminal network linked numerous credit cards to online gambling accounts, some opened under stolen Spanish identities and others in the names of the exploited women. Authorities have so far identified more than 3,000 stolen credit cards and over 5,000 stolen identities from 17 nationalities connected to the scheme.

Using automated computer systems, the group carried out large-scale betting activity to circulate funds. Investigators established that over EUR 2.7 million was deposited into betting accounts, while more than EUR 4.7 million was withdrawn. Part of the proceeds was invested in luxury real estate.

In addition, government subsidies granted to the women under their refugee status were transferred and absorbed into the laundering operation.

Assets Seized and Accounts Frozen

On the coordinated action day in June 2025, authorities carried out nine house searches in Spain and eight in Ukraine. They seized 88 mobile phones, 20 computers, 500 SIM cards, four vehicles and 22 automated bots used for betting operations. Cash amounting to EUR 73,000 and USD 4,200 was confiscated, along with approximately EUR 200,000 in cryptocurrency.

Law enforcement agencies froze, identified or blocked 153 bank accounts held in 11 countries, significantly disrupting the financial infrastructure of the network.

Europol’s Operational Support

Europol specialists in trafficking in human beings and financial crime provided analytical and operational support throughout the investigation and facilitated cross-border information exchange. A Europol expert was deployed on the ground during the action day to assist Spanish authorities in real time.

The case highlights the continued misuse of online gambling platforms and cross-border banking systems for large-scale money laundering schemes, particularly where criminal groups exploit vulnerable individuals to circumvent compliance controls.