Six young men arrested in Australia for fixing games and making illicit bets in a Counter Strike: Global Offensive tournament

Six youths have been arrested in Australia on charges of rigging and betting during a Counter Strike: Global Offensive tournament.

Despite being seven years old, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive remains incredibly popular . For almost a year now, the game has been completely free-to-play, with a few exceptions. This has boosted its popularity, leading many to use it for illicit activities. But the case that has come to light in Australia is particularly bizarre.

At least six people have been detained by the Victoria Police in Australia. Apparently these people would have rigged different games. According to the police, "at least five games were affected" during a tournament held last March. So far it is the first case of its kind outside the area of ​​China, South Korea and Japan, where cheats in video games are highly persecuted, with sentences up to jail.

Six people arrested for rigging Counter Strike: Global Offensive games

According to a police representative: “Detectives from the Sports Integrity Intelligence Unit, along with detectives from the Organized Crime Intelligence Unit, had warrants to investigate a number of properties this week in connection with an investigation into suspicious gambling related to an eSports league "

An investigation that began in March during a Counter Strike: Global Offensive tournament. It appears that this all started when a gambling agency warned the police about strange activities. The agency highlights that the players "were fixing to lose games and placing bets on these games"

For these bets and match fixes in Counter Strike: Global Offensive, six men between the ages of 19 and 22 have been arrested. Victoria Police notes: "At least five games were affected and more than 20 bets were placed on the games by Australian bettors."

They are accused of "engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt the outcome of an event bet." They are also accused of "using information on corrupt behavior for gambling", something punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

This is the first such incident in Australia. Neil Paterson, Victoria Police Assistant Notary, cautions: “eSports is an emerging sports industry, and with that comes the demand for betting on tournament and game results. It is important that the police and other law enforcement agencies, and the gambling industries continue to work together to find any suspicious activity. "

Source: PCGN