Police crack down on FIFA World Cup betting rings

Police in several Chinese cities have cracked down on illegal online gambling linked to soccer World Cup matches, detaining multiple suspects and warning the public to stay alert to betting scams disguised as "high odds", "expert predictions" or "guaranteed profit" opportunities.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gains momentum, gambling rings have used match traffic to lure internet users through social media posts, chat groups, offshore gambling websites and rebate schemes, police said.

Authorities in Huzhou and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Xi'an in Shaanxi province, Jiangyou in Sichuan province and Yulin in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region have recently uncovered cases involving hidden betting operations, promotion of gambling and illegal fund flows. While the cases share similar methods, each also showed varied tactics used to attract gamblers or evade investigation.

In Huzhou, police found that four suspects, including one surnamed Yang, had repeatedly posted "guaranteed profit" and "high-odds cashback" advertisements on social media before the World Cup began. The group allegedly drew users to soccer betting chat groups, updated match odds, issued betting "guides" and directed members to gambling websites or group operators. Four suspects were detained, and the case involved more than 1.5 million yuan ($221,000) in fund flows.

In late June, police in Jiande, Hangzhou, broke up another illegal gambling ring and detained eight people. The case involved more than 1 million yuan in fund flows.

Police said the group operated a so-called overseas World Cup betting market, using high odds and claims of accurate predictions to lure internet users, relatives and friends into placing bets. Unlike the Huzhou case, the group relied on cross-border gambling websites, assigned personnel to manage betting markets online and profited from rebates.

Police in Jiangyou also dismantled a ring that secretly promoted "World Cup exclusive markets" through instant messaging groups and WeChat groups. Investigators said the suspects used offshore websites offering high odds and multiple betting options, while arranging personnel to manage betting markets. To evade investigation, members frequently changed chat accounts and used temporary payment channels. The case involved more than 300,000 yuan and four main suspects were detained.

In mid-June, police from Xi'an's Weiyang district uncovered a group that used social media groups to update odds, open online betting games, recruit gamblers and settle funds offline. After identifying the group during early morning analyses on June 18, police formed a 20-member task force to trace clues, identify suspects, collect electronic evidence and check fund flows. The case, which involved more than 100,000 yuan, was solved within 19 hours and led to the detention of seven suspects.

Additionally, cybersecurity police in Yulin, Guangxi, uncovered a gambling promotion case under the "Clean Net 2026" campaign. Since May, police have found large numbers of gambling adverts in pictures, text and videos on multiple social media platforms. Investigators said a 25-year-old suspect surnamed Chen had organized a studio to provide traffic promotion and operational support for gambling websites. Chen and others were detained, and the case is under further investigation.

Police said soccer World Cup-related online gambling is deceptive, spreads quickly and may lead to fraud, money laundering and other crimes. Several online platforms have also launched special campaigns to remove illegal betting information, block accounts, delete posts and comments, and report clues to police.

Authorities reminded the public that online gambling is illegal and that promises of "sure wins" or "high returns" are often traps. Internet users should avoid joining betting groups, clicking gambling links or transferring money to strangers, and should report gambling-related information to the police.