Gambling Kingpin Arrested in Montenegro over Massive Scam
Chinese national Wang Shuiming, a fugitive sought across Asia for his involvement in a multi-billion-dollar online gambling scam, has been apprehended at Tivat Airport in Montenegro.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The 42-year-old was taken into custody upon arriving from the Maldives after an Interpol Red Notice was issued by China. Authorities accuse Wang of masterminding an illegal betting network that defrauded users of at least $2.3 billion.
Montenegro’s border police confirmed that Wang was flagged through Interpol’s database during routine passport checks for passengers arriving by private jet. His capture is part of the country’s intensified efforts to combat financial crimes and illicit activities. Chinese authorities have been tracking him for years, linking him to large-scale money laundering operations tied to online gambling.
Related: Online Gambling Linked to Fentanyl Trafficking in Canada
Questions Asked About Multiple Nationalities
According to reports, Wang entered Montenegro using a passport from the Republic of Vanuatu, one of four nationalities he is believed to have acquired. In addition to his Chinese citizenship, he reportedly holds passports from Turkey, Cambodia, and Vanuatu, which has led to concerns about his ability to evade law enforcement.
His arrest is the latest development in an international crackdown on illegal gambling operations. Singaporean authorities had previously flagged Wang’s financial activities after he moved there with his family in 2019. Court records from Singapore revealed discrepancies in his statements about his Cambodian passport, which suggested he obtained multiple nationalities through dishonest means, including financial contributions.
Wang and his associates are accused of running a sophisticated online gambling network that targeted Chinese users through mobile apps and digital betting services. These platforms allegedly encouraged high-stakes wagers while facilitating large-scale money laundering across multiple jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies believe his syndicate laundered billions in gambling profits through a complex web of financial and technology firms.
The scale of Wang’s alleged crimes was revealed last year when Singaporean authorities seized $2.3 billion in assets linked to him and his network. In August 2023, authorities arrested 10 individuals and launched an international manhunt for eight more suspects connected to the operation. Wang managed to evade capture until his recent arrest in Montenegro.
More Regulation News
Want Suspected of Mass Money Laundering
Investigators in Singapore have also linked Wang to Su Weiji, another Chinese national accused of orchestrating financial fraud through digital currencies. Reports from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) indicate that Wang and his close associate Wang Bingang played critical roles in Su’s network, laundering illicit funds through offshore financial entities.
Court documents suggest Wang manipulated corporate financial records to create the illusion of legitimate business activities, deceiving banks while conducting large-scale fraud. According to Singapore’s Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao, his operations extended across multiple countries and had connections to organized crime groups engaged in digital fraud and online gambling.
Despite being under law enforcement scrutiny for years, Wang managed to stay ahead of authorities by frequently changing identities and locations. His capture in Montenegro is being viewed as a major breakthrough in international efforts to dismantle illegal gambling syndicates operating across Asia and beyond. He is expected to be extradited to China, where he faces charges related to financial crimes and fraud.
RELATED TOPICS: Regulation
Latest News
Most Read
Must Read
Interviews
When Helping Others Is a Life-Long Mission - An Interview with Gordon Moody CEO, Monica Shafaq
Dec 17, 2024
Interviews
Review this New Post
Leave a Comment
User Comments
Comments for Gambling Kingpin Arrested in Montenegro over Massive Scam