Azerbaijan says it detained a cross-border illegal casino organizer in Georgia and brought him to Baku

Azerbaijan’s cybercrime police say they have wrapped up an operation against a group that ran illegal gambling through internet resources from abroad. For PSPs, the useful part is the mechanism: local SIMs, bank cards, cash-out flows, and crypto transfers were allegedly used to keep the operation moving.

1. The Main Department for Combating Cybercrime of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said it completed operational measures against an organized group that was running illegal betting and casino games online from outside the country.
2. In a joint operation with law enforcement in Georgia, the wanted group leader, Aliyev Anar Islam oglu, known as Anar007, was detained in Georgia and delivered to Azerbaijan. He is accused of organizing illegal gambling under the names Martin and others tied to the chc.play platform.
3. According to the investigation, Anar Aliyev formed the group and recruited Azerbaijani citizens into illegal bookmaker and casino games organized in foreign countries. Group members were allegedly housed in rented homes in Tbilisi and other cities, where they handled online casino and gambling operations.
4. Investigators said other alleged participants — Ashraf Hasanzade, Seymour Nurlullaev, Etibar Sultanov, Rashad Rzazade, Sharkhin Aliyev, and Anar Suraj oglu Aliyev — were involved in keeping the operation running using local mobile operator numbers, bank cards, and other technical equipment. They also reportedly cashed out proceeds from online casinos and transferred funds in cryptocurrency to accounts belonging to Anar Aliyev.
5. The investigation also says part of the illegally obtained money was legalized through the purchase of movable and immovable property. During the arrests, investigators seized electronic storage devices, bank cards, and other items as evidence. The court ordered detention for Anar Aliyev and Sharkhin Aliyev, while other investigative measures continue. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs also reiterated that both organizing and participating in illegal casinos carries legal responsibility.