A shadowy web of financial transactions linked to the online betting giant Melbet has been unraveled in a sweeping investigation that spans Senegal, Russia, and Cyprus. The probe, spearheaded by the Division spéciale de lutte contre la cybercriminalité (DSC), has exposed a sophisticated operation allegedly involving money laundering and fraudulent gambling schemes.
Massive financial flows and deceptive marketing tactics
The investigation reveals that between September and December 2025, a staggering 29.5 billion FCFA in customer payments were processed through the mobile money operator Wave. However, only 23.5 billion FCFA were redistributed, leaving a 6 billion FCFA discrepancy that investigators suspect may be tied to illicit financial maneuvers. This financial imbalance has raised red flags, prompting further scrutiny into potential capital flight and opaque fund retention mechanisms.
Central to the operation was an aggressive advertising campaign on Facebook and Meta, luring unsuspecting bettors with exaggerated promises of instant wealth—such as claims of “winning millions every day.” To claim these supposed prizes, victims were coerced into making micro-payments through unregulated third-party platforms like Game Sawa, a practice that bypasses Senegal’s Loterie nationale sénégalaise (Lonase) oversight.
Investigators also uncovered evidence that these fraudulent promotions falsely exploited institutional credibility. Unauthorized use of the RTS (Radiodiffusion télévision sénégalaise) logo and the image of football star Sadio Mané were deployed to dupe the public, creating an illusion of legitimacy.
International ramifications and corporate opacity
The legal structure underpinning Melbet has come under intense scrutiny. Court documents indicate that Melbet Limited, registered in Cyprus, is currently undergoing dissolution proceedings, rendering it legally incapable of operating internationally. To bypass this restriction, a network of shell companies—including Vikhrédia Suarl and Batnesto Ltd—was allegedly leveraged to secure domain names without obtaining proper gambling licenses.
The Lonase has firmly distanced itself from these practices, emphasizing strict compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and transparency requirements. The regulatory body has made it clear that no formal contractual ties exist between Melbet and authorized gambling entities in Senegal.
Key suspects under judicial control
The investigation has led to multiple arrests, including:
- Filipp Mikhalin (Russian national)
- Mécapeu Catherine Prisca Droh (Ivorian national)
- Several accomplices from Senegal and Moldova
All individuals named in the case are currently subject to judicial supervision pending further legal proceedings.