The Main Directorate for Combating Cybercrime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will be responsible for the investigation into the illegal gambling operation that uses social media by four arrested people.
Azerbaijan Cyber Police arrested four people involved in Internet betting using social media Polad Abdullayev, Syanan Haciyeva, and Togrul Gasimov, and Jafar Bayali.
The police department learned of this group’s collaboration with offshore gambling sites and for setting up a virtual cash management system in Azerbaijan. The group used social networking products like Milan, Sevince, Rahat, and Texas to reach their targets and encourage unwanted betting behavior.
Searches carried out at the suspects’ residences resulted in the seizure of electronic devices, bank cards, and mobile numbers believed to have been used in the operation. These items have been collected as part of the ongoing investigation.
On residences of the suspects, physical evidence was obtained from electronic devices, credit cards, and phone numbers presumed to be involved with the investigation. This collection of evidence will remain part of the current investigation.
The suspects are formally charged, and a pre-trial detention order has been issued by the court for those charged in the crime.
In addition, authorities have released a public alert urging citizens to refrain from making any transactions with unlicensed online casinos & placing bets with illegal gambling websites promoted on the world-wide web, social media. Authorities noted that many criminal activities associated with cybercrimes often use unlicensed types of online gambling services to obtain victims’ personal & financial data.
In a statement the department said:
We once again urge citizens to refrain from participating in illegal online casinos and gambling offered on various Internet resources, as well as on social networks. Such platforms are often created for the purpose of cyber fraud, as a result of which attackers gain access to bank cards and personal data of users. Participation in illegal online gambling entails not only financial losses, but also the risk of legal liability. Therefore, we strongly recommend not visiting unlicensed websites of online casinos and bookmakers, not believing the promises of «easy money» in advertising such games on social networks, and also reporting suspicious accounts and platforms to the police. Remember that cautious behavior in the cyber environment is the key to your financial and personal safety.
