Ukraine’s Bureau of Economic Security (ESBU) announced it shut down four underground gambling establishments in the Shevchenkivskyi, Solomyanskyi and Svyatoshynskyi districts of Kyiv.
Following a series of raids at the illegal gambling premises, detectives from the ESBU’s territorial administration in Ukraine seized 120 items of computer equipment with an estimated market value of UAH1.5m (£32,000/€37,000/$40,000).
So far, the ESBU’s pre-trial investigation found certain individuals linked to the operation organised gambling without the necessary licences.
Detectives have also established the ringleaders ran the syndicate without creating a legal company or entity, in violation of the law. The gambling establishments were principally found on the ground floors of residential buildings.
Gambling ring conceals activities from authorities
The operators of the gambling ring took steps to conceal their activities from the authorities.
The ESBU highlighted the businesses opened only to trusted customers and operated only after the city’s midnight curfew.
The government established the curfew as a result of the introduction of martial law following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Additionally, guards protected the establishment and monitored it under 24-hour video surveillance.
The police said they are currently in the process of building a list of all the persons involved in the scheme.
The investigation will continue on the basis of Part 1 of Article 203-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal activities of organising or conducting gambling games, lotteries)
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