Six arrested over alleged esports match fixing
Six men have been arrested in a series of raids across Melbourne, after a tip-off from a betting agency about potential match-fixing at a major esports tournament.
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Six men have been arrested in Melbourne over allegations of match-fixing in a major esports tournament.
Police said investigators have made a series of raids this week after a tip-off from a betting agency wagering on the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament.
Detectives from the Victoria Police sporting integrity intelligence unit and officers from the organised crime intelligence unit executed the warrants this week.
Their probe started in March this year amid allegations players had thrown matches they had bet on.
Five matches and 20 bets were under scrutiny as part of the inquiry.
Investigators have been dealing with betting agencies, including Sportsbet, as part of their probe.
A warrants was executed today at Mount Eliza, following searches at Mill Park and South Morang on Wednesday.
The six arrested are a two 20-year-olds from Mount Eliza, two 20-year-olds from Mill Park, a 22-year-old from Mill Park and a 19-year-old from South Morang.
They have been interviewed over the offences of engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome of an event or an event contingency, or use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes.
All were released without charge.
Police said these offences carry up to 10 years imprisonment.
Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson said the investigation was one of the first involving esports.
“Esports is really an emerging sporting industry and with that will come the demand for betting availability on the outcomes of tournaments and matches,” Mr Paterson said.
“It’s important that police and other agencies within the law enforcement, gaming and betting industries continue to work together to target any suspicious activity.
“These warrants also highlight that police will take any reports of suspicious or criminal activity within esports seriously, and we encourage anyone with information to come forward.”
Anyone with information about illegal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au