The Financiers of the Provincial Command of the Guardia di Finanza of Vibo Valentia carried out a targeted intervention at a betting center in the city centre, finding serious illegal conduct regarding remote betting.
The activity, which was supposed to be a simple administrative inspection to verify compliance with the anti-money laundering legislation, made it possible to identify a telephone device used for company purposes.
The preliminary examination of the “WhatsApp” messaging application on the device revealed the existence of numerous conversations with customers aimed at remotely requesting top-ups and accepting bets. Subsequent electronic checks confirmed a consolidated practice, consisting in the systematic collection and placement of bets on behalf of third parties operated directly through the gaming account in the name of the operating company, instead of the personal accounts of individual bettors.
During the inspection activities inside the premises, it was also ascertained that the structure allowed the top-up of gaming accounts registered in the name of third parties, including one resulting in the ownership of a person with multiple criminal convictions burdened by connections with organized crime.
The military then proceeded with the evidentiary and preventive seizure of the telephone system and the premises of the betting shop, at the same time referring those responsible for the illicit conduct to the AG.