Eswatini gambling probe earns INTERPOL recognition
INTERPOL Secretary General commended Eswatini’s contribution during a recent international meeting, noting that evidence gathered by investigators led to additional arrests in other countries.
Eswatini.- Eswatini’s crackdown on an alleged illegal online gambling syndicate has received international recognition after intelligence gathered during the investigation contributed to arrests in other countries as part of INTERPOL’s Operation First Light 2026.
National Commissioner of Police Vusi Manoma Masango said the recognition reflected the combined efforts of local authorities, government agencies and international partners, rather than the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) alone. It follows INTERPOL’s announcement that Operation First Light 2026, conducted between January and April across 97 countries and territories, resulted in the arrest of 5,811 suspects, the seizure of illicit assets worth US$293m (€257m) and the identification of more than 142,000 victims of cyber-enabled financial crime worldwide.
According to Masango, Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL secretary general, commended Eswatini’s contribution during a recent international meeting, noting that evidence gathered by investigators led to additional arrests in other countries. He said Cambodia was among the jurisdictions where about 200 suspects linked to related criminal activities were subsequently arrested.
INTERPOL confirmed that authorities in Eswatini dismantled a criminal network allegedly involved in illegal online gambling, money laundering and sophisticated impersonation scams. The operation led to the arrest of 82 suspects and the seizure of 240 electronic devices, foreign currency and equipment used in the alleged operation.
Masango said investigators have also identified several alleged victims outside Eswatini, underscoring the cross-border nature of the operation. He noted that while the syndicate operated from within the kingdom, those targeted were spread across multiple countries.
Authorities are continuing to analyse digital evidence seized during the raids to determine the full scale of the network and identify any remaining international links.
Masango added that the case highlights the importance of cooperation between national regulators, law enforcement agencies and international policing organisations in combating illegal online gambling, financial fraud and other forms of transnational organised crime.
