POLICE have arrested and charged a Hunter man and former table tennis pro following an investigation into an alleged gambling syndicate placing corrupt bets on international tournaments.
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Book makers tipped off police to "irregular and suspicious betting activities on professional table tennis matches being played in the Ukraine".
In June, detectives from the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad, with assistance from Sport Integrity Australia, established Strike Force Brombal to investigate a trans-national gambling syndicate. Inquiries revealed a 40-year-old Broadmeadow man received information relating to fixed table tennis matches in Europe.
Corrupt bets were subsequently placed on the matches, resulting in winnings valued at $500,000 which police believe was then shared among other people involved in this syndicate. Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, executed nine search warrants at homes at Broadmeadow, Wickham, Hamilton, Stockton, Cameron Park, Hawks Nest and Shortland from 6am Wednesday.
Detectives were assisted throughout the operation by officers from Newcastle City, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens Hunter police districts. During the searches, strike force detectives seized $12,000 cash, documentation and electronic devices. All items seized during the operation have undergone further examination and police have allegedly found evidence of bank transfers and multiple betting accounts which will be used to build a case against the alleged offender in court.
The 40-year-old man was arrested at a home at Broadmeadow and taken to Newcastle police station. He was charged with use corrupt conduct information to bet on event and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal. Police will allege in court that the Hunter man was the head of the gambling syndicate and used his influence in the sport to gain information.
The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday January 28, 2021.
Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman, commander of the Organised Crime Squad said the trans-national betting syndicate was involved in the "corruption of professional sport in Eastern Europe" and had to be stopped.
"The head of this syndicate, who has links to the sport of table tennis and was previously a ranked table tennis player in Australia, we will allege used his inside knowledge to gain information about table tennis matches in the Ukraine that had a predetermined outcome. In other words they knew who was going to win the match before they put the bets on.
"The Organised Crime Squad NSW Police will continue to target these types of trans-national crime syndicates and betting syndicates and organised crime figures who attempt to use their influence to corrupt sporting activities."
He said the table tennis syndicate was able to flourish during COVID-19 because it was one of the few sports which continued competitions throughout the pandemic.
Investigations under Strike Force Brombal are continuing.
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