Baku, September 18, 2025
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) says it has dismantled an organized group that allegedly ran illegal online gambling schemes through social media, detaining 10 suspects in a coordinated raid on clandestine offices across the capital.
According to the MIA’s Main Directorate for Combating Cybercrime, the group was allegedly led by Nihat Valiyev (b. 2002) and Altay Asgarli (b. 2001).
Investigators say the suspects used Instagram pages branded “TT,” “Admiral,” “Bir-iki,” “Gold,” and others to funnel users to offshore, unlicensed platforms including “Fast Loto365” and “CHCPlay.” To mask their identities, they reportedly operated with foreign SIMs and numbers registered to third parties.
Searches of rented apartments used as offices turned up nearly 500 bank cards – said to have been purchased from individuals for varying sums – and were allegedly used to move illicit funds. Police also seized 50+ local and foreign phone numbers, mobile devices and other electronic evidence.
Authorities preliminarily estimate the ring’s illegal turnover at more than AZN 10 million. The ministry said part of the proceeds was converted into cryptocurrency.
A criminal case has been opened under relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and follow – on operational measures are underway to identify and detain additional suspects. The MIA released footage from the scene showing the arrests and seized materials.
