Online gambling operator 12Bet has been linked to an operation by Vietnamese police targeting unapproved betting on the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Late Friday night, Vietnamese media reported that Ho Chi Minh City police had arrested four individuals linked to an online gambling ring that handled over BND600b (US$26.2m) in wagers since police began monitoring the ring’s activities last year.

While the ring reportedly handled its wagers through the Philippines-licensed 12Bet, its customers used online banking to purchase ‘virtual credits’ from the organizers, who then placed the wagers on the customers’ behalf.

In addition to the four principals, police searched the homes of another four suspects, seizing computers, phones and over VND300m in cash.