An explosive inquiry by Senegal’s Division spéciale de lutte contre la cybercriminalité (DSC) has laid bare a sophisticated operation behind the Melbet betting scandal. The case, now under judicial review before the Pool judiciaire financier, implicates multiple suspects—including Russian national Filipp Mikhalin, Ivorian citizen Mécapeu Catherine Prisca Droh, and associates from Senegal and Moldova—all currently subject to judicial supervision.

Massive financial flows and deceptive tactics

The investigation has uncovered staggering financial movements linked to Melbet’s operations. Between September and December 2025, forensic audits of payment processor Wave revealed transactions totaling over 29.5 billion FCFA in client deposits, with only 23.5 billion FCFA subsequently refunded. This unexplained discrepancy of nearly 6 billion FCFA has raised red flags among investigators, who suspect structured money laundering schemes and opaque fund retention practices.

The modus operandi hinged on elaborate deception. Victims were lured by aggressive Facebook and Meta advertisements promising “millions to win daily”, only to be directed toward unregulated virtual games. To purportedly claim winnings, users were coerced into making micro-payments via third-party apps like Game Sawa, circumventing Senegal’s official gaming regulator, the Loterie nationale sénégalaise (Lonase).

Further scrutiny exposed the fraudulent exploitation of institutional credibility. Investigators allege that Melbet’s campaigns fraudulently appropriated the logo of Radiodiffusion télévision sénégalaise (RTS) and the likeness of football star Sadio Mané to dupe unsuspecting bettors.

A labyrinth of shell companies and international evasion

Probing deeper, authorities uncovered a convoluted corporate structure designed to bypass regulatory scrutiny. The investigation centers on Melbet Limited, a Chypriot-registered entity currently under dissolution, rendering it legally incapable of operating internationally. To circumvent this, alleged shell companies—Vikhrédia Suarl and Batnesto Ltd—were allegedly deployed, leveraging domain leasing agreements that conferred no legitimate gaming licenses.

In response, the Lonase has reaffirmed its stance, disavowing any contractual ties with Melbet and underscoring strict adherence to anti-money laundering and transparency regulations. The case underscores the global reach of cyber-enabled financial crimes and the urgent need for coordinated international regulatory oversight.