In a coordinated international operation involving Europol and INTERPOL, Spanish National Police have arrested twelve suspects accused of laundering millions through gambling platforms by exploiting vulnerable Ukrainian refugees.
The criminal network, operating primarily in Alicante and Valencia, targeted women with temporary protection status, forcing them to open bank accounts to facilitate the flow of illicit profits.
A Multimillion-Euro Laundering Engine
The investigation, which spanned over two years and culminated in a joint “action day” with Ukrainian police in June 2025, uncovered a scheme that generated an estimated €4.75 million.
Authorities identified 55 victims who were escorted to banks to open accounts and then promptly returned to Ukraine. These accounts were then linked to gambling platforms using over 3,000 stolen cards and 5,000 separate identities.
The network utilized advanced technology to maximize their returns, according to investigators:
“The network even used automated systems to place large bets and maximize returns. Through this method, they deposited around €2.7 million and withdrew over €4.7 million”.
Asset Seizures and Humanitarian Impact
The Spanish National Police seized an extensive cache of hardware and currency, including 88 mobile phones, 22 automated “bots,” and €200,000 in cryptocurrency.
Most distressingly, investigators found that government subsidies intended for refugee support were diverted into the scheme to fund luxury real estate investments. In total, 153 bank accounts across 11 countries have been frozen as the investigation continues into human trafficking and fraud.
