Ukrainian Football Scam Exposed: Rigged Matches Targeted Betting Platforms

BetGenius has addressed claims of their participation in a match manipulation plot in Ukraine. Amidst the COVID-19 shutdown, there was a rise in wagering scams connected to soccer, and in this instance, proof suggests several Ukrainian games played at the end of March were affected. In essence, these matches were rigged, and the information was then utilized to present betting options on platforms such as BetFred, BWin, and 188bet.

Although the overall sum gambled is approximated to be roughly £100,000 (or $124,000), it’s probable that the parties responsible for this scheme received payment before the betting firms detected the situation.

The games, arranged as an exhibition competition called the Azoz Cup, were advertised on Facebook and featured four lower-level Ukrainian teams, including FC Berdyansk. BetGenius, tasked with supplying data on the matches, insists that these were not “phantom games” – a phrase used to describe entirely fabricated matches – and that the competition seemed legitimate. They, alongside numerous sportsbook partners, were targets of a complex operation.

A football competition in Ukraine was uncovered as a fabrication, established to exploit wagering platforms. The competition, purportedly adhering to rigorous safety measures including visual and auditory confirmation, was ultimately exposed as a ruse. Games were held, but lacked official authorization, likely orchestrated by a criminal syndicate.

The Football Association of Ukraine (FAU) intervened, asserting that no authorized matches were permitted under the nation’s current COVID-19 restrictions. This validated suspicions that the competition was a sham intended for illicit gambling operations.

BetGenius, a sports information firm that had been monitoring the competition, acknowledged that certain matches transpired despite the absence of formal approval. They assert possession of video recordings and have extended cooperation to the FAU and law enforcement in probing the matter. Consequently, Genius Sports, the parent company of BetGenius, has terminated coverage of lower-tier Ukrainian football.