A new dark web threat has emerged on the market, leveraging football sponsorship controversies to deploy “Vigorish Viper,” a sophisticated Chinese cybercrime syndicate deeply embedded in the global illegal gambling economy, estimated at a staggering $1.7 trillion.
This syndicate, controlled by the notorious Yabo Group, has been implicated in extensive money laundering and human trafficking activities across Southeast Asia. The findings shed light on Vigorish Viper’s pivotal role in a sponsorship controversy engulfing prominent European football clubs, including those in the English Premier League.
The syndicate exploited these sponsorships to promote illicit gambling sites primarily targeting Greater China, leveraging the clubs’ prestige to attract unsuspecting bettors.
Researchers Highlight Dark Web’s Vigorish Viper Campaign
Dr. Renée Burton, Vice President of Infoblox Threat Intel, highlighted the significance of this threat: “Vigorish Viper represents one of the most sophisticated threats we’ve encountered. Our DNS-based research uncovered their intricate infrastructure, including traffic distribution systems, encrypted communications, and custom applications, making them exceptionally elusive.”
The term “Vigorish Viper” derives from the gambling world’s vigorish fees and the syndicate’s complex web of operations. Their technology suite encompasses DNS configurations, website hosting, payment systems, and mobile apps, facilitating a vast network of over 170,000 active domain names.
Central to Vigorish Viper’s strategy is its association with European football clubs through controversial sponsorships. These partnerships allow them to broadcast illegal gambling advertisements during matches and on club jerseys, exploiting the clubs’ global fan bases for illicit gain.
Vigorish Viper Links to Yabo Group
The syndicate’s ties to Yabo Group, previously known for extensive illegal gambling operations and alleged involvement in human trafficking, highlight the global reach and criminal nature of their activities. Despite strict gambling regulations in Greater China, the region sees nearly $850 billion in annual bets, illustrating the scale and complexity of Vigorish Viper’s operations.
“DNS analytics have been instrumental in tracking Vigorish Viper’s infrastructure,” added Dr. Burton. “Stopping them requires leveraging DNS technologies due to their rapid adaptation and evasion tactics.”
In 2021, China imposed strict penalties of up to 10 years in prison for gambling. By May 2022, they identified 90,000 individuals crossing borders for gambling, dismantling 260 facilitating gangs. Operation Chain Break led to charges against Suncity Holdings for organized criminal gambling and money laundering. Suncity’s CEO, Alvin Chau, received an 18-year prison sentence in January 2023.
Investigations revealed ties between Chau and TGP Europe, involved in controversial English Premier League sponsorships. These sponsorships, including with Manchester United, prominently featured Chinese-language gambling advertisements. Despite crackdowns, these operations persist across European and Asian sports leagues, supported by Vigorish Viper’s intricate network.