The online gambling industry in Senegal is facing unprecedented scrutiny following a sweeping investigation that has exposed a sophisticated web of financial irregularities linked to the controversial platform Melbet.
A high-stakes legal probe, launched in early 2026 by the Special Cybercrime Unit (DSC), has uncovered a pattern of alleged financial misconduct involving millions of dollars flowing through unregulated channels. Court documents reveal that between September and December 2025 alone, payment operator Wave processed transactions totaling over 29.5 billion West African CFA francs—with only 23.5 billion ultimately credited to user accounts, leaving a 6 billion franc discrepancy that investigators suspect may indicate systematic fund retention and potential money laundering.
Fraudulent marketing and deceptive financial promises
The investigation reveals a deliberate strategy to lure unsuspecting bettors through aggressive social media campaigns. High-targeted ads on Facebook and Meta platforms promised instantaneous wealth with slogans like “Millions won daily”, drawing in thousands of users across West Africa. However, access to these supposed winnings was conditioned on micro-payments through third-party merchant apps such as Game Sawa—unregulated platforms that bypass official oversight by the National Lottery of Senegal (Lonase).
Further complicating the scheme, investigators found that advertisements falsely leveraged institutional credibility. Unauthorized use of the Senegalese Broadcasting Corporation (RTS) logo and imagery of football star Sadio Mané was deployed to lend false legitimacy to the promotions, misleading the public.
International shell networks and legal voids
The legal framework surrounding Melbet appears deliberately opaque. Court filings indicate that Melbet Limited, the Cyprus-based parent company, is currently under liquidation, rendering it legally incapable of international operations. To bypass this restriction, investigators allege a network of shell companies—including Vikhrédia Suarl and Batnesto Ltd—were used to register domain names under fraudulent licensing agreements. These arrangements did not confer any legitimate gaming licenses but allowed the platform to continue operating under the radar.
The Lonase has publicly rejected any contractual ties with Melbet, reaffirming its commitment to enforcing strict compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and gaming transparency standards. The investigation continues to trace the origins of these financial flows, with several individuals—including Russian national Filipp Mikhalin, Ivorian citizen Mécapeu Catherine Prisca Droh, and multiple Senegalese and Moldovan associates—currently under judicial supervision.
