Cyber police operatives have uncovered a group that coerced professional players into losing table tennis matches through bribery and deception. By knowing the outcomes in advance, the offenders profited from betting. A suspect from Ukraine has been charged and placed under house arrest.

The cyber police and investigators from the Obolon Police Department in Kyiv, under the supervision of the Obolon District Prosecutor's Office, have terminated this illegal ‘earning’ scheme involving fixed table tennis matches.

To recruit athletes and discuss the details of the scheme, participants, some of whom are abroad, utilized popular messaging apps and social media. They influenced the results of official sporting events through bribery, deceit, or exploitation of trust.

For losing a match, depending on their ranking, professional players were promised between $500 and $2000.

Knowing the future outcome, the criminals placed bets on the websites of bookmakers registered in Asia, either personally or through proxies.

Police, supported by the TOR special unit, conducted a search at the residence of one of the most active members of the group in Odesa, seizing the suspect's gadgets.

Investigators have charged the offender under Part 3 of Article 369-3 (Illegal influence on the outcomes of official sports competitions) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The man has been placed under house arrest, with a potential sentence of up to 5 years in prison.

Investigative actions are ongoing to identify all members of the criminal group, including those abroad, with possible additional legal qualifications.