Illegal gambling , gambling and million hiding behind temporarily licensed online betting company , which through its website assuring the public that provides legal services in the Greek market.
Handcuffed in the circuit of gambling
In reality, however , as a result of many months of research Hellenic Police had networked with other circuits illegal gambling , setting up together with them a network of three criminal organizations that substituting OPAP with turnovers million, and depriving the Greek state from unpaid taxes.
The survey , launched from Halkidiki and expanded in 11 counties across the country , led to the dismantling of the network , involving a total of 67 people.
A giant police operation that was in progress till late last night, had been identified and arrested 53 of the stakeholders and sought for the remaining 14 .
Among those arrested is the 41 year old owner of online betting , poker and casino , one of the 24 licensed temporarily in Greece . The arrested reported by the police as ” leader ” of one of the three criminal organizations dismantled .
Over 50 computers, 44 mobile phones, 17 passbooks and cash seized including police
Over 50 computers, 44 mobile phones, 17 passbooks and cash seized including police
Hide profits
As revealed by the survey, documents from managers of licensed companies only a portion of the transactions with its customers , thereby obscured much of its profits and the government loses the corresponding taxes .
Handcuffed in the circuit of gambling
Moreover, according to the police , this company worked with middlemen and shops taking percentages of the bets of the players. This is not allowed by the permit conditions which specifically mentions that players can only play directly on the site .
The company , which appears to be based in the Netherlands Antilles and reportedly has offices in Malta , where they hold a license in 2011, secured the January 2012 Greek VAT and temporary legal license to operate in our country by the Ministry of Finance. The license applies to betting fixed odds on sports and non- events in the online casino and online poker Texas HoldEm.
Handcuffed in the circuit of gambling
As the ” flagship ” of the activities referred to in football betting and other sports betting , promising numerous superb and statutory returns.
This criminal group ” leader ” in 41chrono had scope areas of Attica, Thessaloniki , Zakynthos Fthiotida Aetoloacarnania, while apart from other chief arrested seven members, of the 14 identified as involved .
In the latter organization, had their scope prefectures of Pella , Imathia, Thessaloniki , Kilkis, Larissa and Alexandroupolis , a ‘ leader ‘ appears 38 year old son of a businessman Giannitsà Pella, who had been the police and the public by engaging of a big deal with ” slots ” in the beginning of last decade, while in November 2012 became the protagonist in an incident in Deposits and Loans in Thessaloniki , which threatened that would ” set fire “.
For participation in this organization identified 37 members , of which 32 were arrested , including 38 year old .
In another organization, with a scope of Halkidiki , Thessaloniki, Veria and Komotini , have arrested 12 members of the 17 identified , and among those who sought is the 51chronos ” leader ” of .
The three criminal organizations constituted illegal gambling network , one of the greatest that have concerned the prosecuting authorities were operating independently and as communicating vessels , with links and collaborations between the three “leaders “.
Two of them , in fact, been in advanced discussions with a view to expanding its cooperation with the joint establishment and operation of a new gambling site that will specialize in online poker.
Dance million in illegal agencies
The police investigation was launched by Security Poligirou Halkidiki, after investigating cases of illegal proceeds in several health stores in Halkidiki.
Gripping the edge of the ” thread ” , police were led to functional websites with illegal betting , but also ” agents ” that functioned to support them , substituting OPAP .
In stores players pay everything with cash to ‘ agents’ , while for direct stakes in websites costs were electronically.
There followed several months of police investigation , with the assistance and technical means to monitor conversations of suspects, and identified specific persons , against whom arrest warrants were issued by the prosecutor Poligirou .
Offences
Until last night, within the broad police operation had been completed a total of 52 investigations in homes and 15 shops, in which 52 people were arrested and another 14 sought .
Against them formed file felony nature for offenses where the creation and participation in a criminal organization, conducting and participating in illegal gambling and money laundering from criminal activity ( money laundering ) .
The three organizations worked with vertical hierarchical structure and specific internal composition , with specific roles and sub- organizational activities that were preset for each of their members.
The police estimate that the total turnover of the network amounts to several million, without being able at present to define it exactly. The investigation is continuing in cooperation with the competent services , for full disclosure of the action of criminal organizations .
For this purpose informed the Authority Anti -Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and Control of Assets Declaration Statement and the Economic Police Service Cyber Crime Unit of the Hellenic Police to investigate the tax aspect of the case .
Further research is under European and international police cooperation in order to ascertain the time range of action of the network and to determine the total amount of fraud.
For the same reason, many Forensic seized will be sent for laboratory examination in criminal laboratories of the Headquarters of the Police These are 54 laptops and desktop computers , 44 mobile phones, many handwritten notes with codenames and financial stakes , 3,070 euros , 17 passbooks , a cruiser , 3 IX 8 cars and watches .
