Thousands arrested in Interpol football gambling raids

Interpol has confirmed that over 4,000 people have been arrested worldwide in a clampdown on illegal football gambling.

The global criminal police organisation said it has seized more than $13 million (€11.8 million) in raids across China, France, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as part of Operation SOGA VI.

The raided dens are estimated to have taken $649 million in bets during Euro 2016, which took place in France from June 10 to July 10.

According to the Reuters news agency, chief superintendent Chan Lok-wing, the head of Hong Kong's Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, said: “The number of seizures is the highest and most significant amongst similar operations in recent years.

“The SOGA operations are important for tackling not just illegal gambling, but also the organised networks behind this and other types of crime.”

A second operating targeting transnational networks behind illegal websites and call-centre type operations is also taking place.

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