Authorities have uncovered a massive cybercrime network operating behind the facade of Curaçao-based gambling companies—raising alarm bells across Europe and beyond. The investigation revealed at least 30 offshore online casinos operating without proper oversight, exploiting gaps in regulatory controls and trust offices in Curaçao.
Criminal facilitators including Bellona NV and NewEra BV, backed by covert trust offices, allowed the websites to mask ownership, access unregulated markets, and evade law enforcement. Millions in player funds were laundered through these sites—many of which operated illegally in Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Denmark.
Player testimonies expose devastating losses. A Swedish man, for instance, lost over €12,000 in just one month, despite being on a self-exclusion list—only to be lured back as a “VIP” with special bonuses. Others report withdrawal refusals and money simply vanishing.
European regulators have issued fines—€5 million in Spain and €900,000 in the Netherlands—but enforcement remains weak, with no real accountability or restitution for victims. Investigative sources stress that the root of the problem lies in Curaçao’s persistently lax regulation and the anonymity afforded by its trust offices.
Despite promises of reform under Curaçao’s new LOK licensing framework, critics argue the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) continues to issue licenses to entities previously implicated in fraud, without sufficiently overhauling the trust-office system.
Victim advocates call for urgent legislative intervention, insisting that face-to-face complaints and international cooperation aren’t enough. They demand transparency in ownership, stronger due diligence, and real penalties for operators that mishandle player funds. The exposure of this cybercrime network is a stark warning: without serious regulatory overhaul in Curaçao, the global gambling industry will remain a ripe target for cross-border fraud and systemic abuse.
