Austrian authorities have dismantled an illegal international luxury lottery based in Vienna, following a coordinated investigation by the Vienna State Criminal Police Office and the financial police under the Office for Fraud Prevention.
The Austrian Ministry of Finance revealed in a press release that the operation offered high-end prizes like Rolex watches and luxury cars from Audi and BMW, but lacked the necessary licenses, breaching both gambling and tax regulations.
The scheme sold thousands of tickets across Europe, primarily via Facebook and other digital platforms. Participants were lured by the promise of lavish rewards and made payments online or at a physical location in Vienna.
A 30-year-old man was identified as the main organizer, collecting funds through digital transactions and selling tickets from a hidden base. Authorities began investigating after detecting signs of unlawful gambling, eventually uncovering a sophisticated effort to bypass legal oversight and taxation.
A major raid took place on March 26, involving the riot police unit WEGA and other law enforcement teams. The illegal operation was run from a discreet residential property in Vienna’s 21st district. Inside, authorities found detailed financial records revealing the scheme had earned hundreds of thousands of euros, none of which had been taxed or legally reported.
The suspects, Serbian nationals residing in Austria without legal status, now face charges under the Gambling Act, financial crime proceedings, and possible deportation. Immigration authorities are also involved in the case.
Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer and State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl commended the investigation, stressing the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating fraud. They underlined that illegal gambling operations not only bypass the legal system but also rob the state of taxable income.
In addition to criminal charges, civil lawsuits may follow, as victims seek compensation for their ticket purchases. However, the outcome of such claims will depend on court rulings and the recovery of assets.
This case forms part of a wider European crackdown on unlicensed gambling operations, with authorities intensifying efforts to combat fraud via social media and cross-border payments.
