Law authorities in Austria have smashed an illegal lottery operation which was profiting from tickets sold worldwide.
After a raid on the headquarters of the operation at a residential location in Vienna, the findings revealed significant details. Evidence was confiscated, with records showing six-figure profits and other details leaving the protagonists open to prosecution.
The illicit lottery thrived from the lure of expensive prizes, such as luxury cars and Rolex watches, but now those responsible could be facing time in prison.
The operation breached Austrian law with no approval or licenses in place, while significant tax violations have been committed with no revenue or profits declared.
It is understood the lottery sold tickets online as well as in person, with the online aspect of the operation utilizing Facebook and other social platforms.
The raid took place on March 26 with various enforcement authorities collaborating for full effect.
Due to the records uncovered, police were able to compile a thorough understanding of the illicit operation and the extent of its reach. Now, those responsible are facing a list of charges for contravening tax and gambling laws, with some foreign nationals involved at risk of extradition from the central European nation.
Austria’s finance minister Markus Marterbauer and state secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl lauded the success of the enforcement action, particularly the cross-agency collaboration to combat fraud and illegal gambling.
The pair also sounded a warning on the dangers of illicit criminal enterprises like this and the loss of significant financial resources that would otherwise be subject to lawful taxation.
In a Finance Ministry statement, a quote attributed to Martebauer and Eibinger-Miedl read:
“Thanks to the excellent cooperation of our investigative authorities, we were able to put an end to this fraudulent system. This investigative success demonstrates once again how unscrupulous illegal gambling networks are, smuggling large sums of money past the state.”
Another interesting angle is that, in addition to criminal charges for violating tax and gambling laws, the perpetrators could be open to civil lawsuits from lottery participants.
Those who purchased tickets could seek damages to reclaim losses, but any prospective action is likely to depend on initial criminal proceedings and the recovery of any assets.
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