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A secret online lottery has been stopped by Austrian authorities after months of undercover work. The illegal game was mostly run on Facebook and promised big rewards like Rolex watches and luxury cars from Audi and BMW. But it turned out to be a scam with no legal license, hidden cash, and huge losses for many people.
How the Illegal Lottery Worked
For several months, the group behind the lottery used social media to sell thousands of tickets. Most payments were made directly to a 30-year-old man, believed to be the main person running the operation. People either sent money online or paid in person at the group’s hideout located in Vienna’s 21st district.
They used luxury items like cars and watches to attract people, but the entire setup was not registered with any legal authority. This made it a clear violation of Austrian gambling laws.
Police Raid Reveals the Truth
On March 26, Austrian police, with help from a special unit called WEGA, raided the secret location. It was just an ordinary house, but inside they found:
- One Rolex given up by the suspects
- Two more Rolex watches hidden inside a laundry cabinet – found by a smart customs dog named Ike
- Detailed payment records from ticket buyers
- Proof of undeclared income in six figures (over €100,000)
This confirmed that the group was not only breaking gambling laws but also avoiding taxes.
Big Legal and Immigration Problems
Now, the people involved face serious problems:
- Breaking Austrian gambling laws
- Tax fraud
- Possible jail time and heavy fines
- Immigration issues, because they are Serbian nationals without legal permission to live in Austria
The Rolex watches found were taken by the Austrian tax office to cover the unpaid taxes.
What Officials Said
Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer and State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl praised the operation. They said it was an important success in the fight against illegal gambling:
“Thanks to the excellent cooperation between our investigative authorities, we were able to put an end to this fraudulent scheme. This successful operation once again shows how unscrupulously illegal gambling networks operate and siphon large sums past the state.”
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