Eswatini police have told the High Court that an investigation into illegal online gambling has escalated into an international probe of fraud and organised crime. Constable Ntokozo Dlamini from the organised crime unit said data from Telegram and WhatsApp extracted from suspects' devices points to syndicate ties with senior politicians, police officers and immigration officials.
The investigation began in March 2026 with raids in Mbabane and Ezulwini. Police arrested 146 foreign nationals from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Cambodia and Brazil, and seized 313 electronic devices. Forensic work now covers more than 400 gadgets with INTERPOL support. Castle Hotel in Mbabane served as the syndicate's command centre, according to police.
Forensics showed the group targeted victims in Brazil and India, ran unlicensed gambling platforms from Eswatini, converted proceeds to USDT and moved funds through financial institutions in Abu Dhabi and the United States. Police found a fake Brazilian police station inside the hotel — uniform, bulletproof vest, radios, Federal Police badge. Fraudsters posed as Brazilian officers on video calls, persuading victims to sign fake confidentiality agreements and transfer money supposedly to Brazil's central bank. INTERPOL counted around 40 Brazilian victims. Operation First Light 2026 intercepted $293 million in assets across 97 countries.
Police Commissioner Vusi Manoma Masango demanded in June that gambling licensing be suspended until the investigation concludes, warning of criminal infiltration risk. The case reached parliament when Senate Deputy Speaker Ndumiso Mdluli asked the prime minister to check whether politicians are renting property to foreign nationals linked to illegal gambling. In June, 84 detained individuals were convicted of immigration offences and sentenced to six months or a $30 fine. The Gambling Control Act came into force in 2022, but regulations are still being drafted.
