Eswatini Gambling Probe Expands as Investigators Uncover Alleged Links to Officials
Eswatini’s investigation into a major illegal online gambling syndicate has intensified after forensic analysis of seized devices revealed suspected links to public officials, including politicians, police officers and immigration personnel.
According to court filings before the High Court, investigators from the Royal Eswatini Police Service, working alongside INTERPOL and other international partners, examined more than 400 electronic devices recovered during coordinated raids earlier this year.
The devices, which included mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers and tablets, were seized from multiple locations, including the Castle Hotel in Mbabane, alleged to have served as one of the syndicate’s operational hubs.
Evidence presented in a police affidavit indicates that forensic analysis uncovered communications on messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram involving individuals in senior government and law enforcement positions. The findings have prompted authorities to broaden the scope of the investigation beyond illegal gambling to include potential links to wider criminal activity.
The case initially focused on foreign nationals accused of operating unlicensed online gambling platforms from properties in Mbabane and Ezulwini. Law enforcement agencies arrested numerous suspects and confiscated equipment including servers, computers and cash-handling machines believed to have been used in the operation.
Investigators have identified Tao Lyu as the alleged leader of the syndicate, which is suspected of combining illegal gambling activities with fraud schemes targeting victims in international markets such as Brazil and India. Authorities allege that customer service agents used scripted responses to delay withdrawals and extract financial information from users.
Further analysis suggests that the operation was structured like a corporate organisation, with defined roles across payment processing, customer support and gaming operations. Internal records recovered during the raids, including management communications and disciplinary documents, have been cited as evidence of a coordinated transnational criminal network.
The latest developments mark a significant escalation in one of Eswatini’s most high-profile gambling investigations, with authorities continuing to analyse evidence and examine potential connections to public officials.
