Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The Mexican government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has taken decisive action against 13 physical and online casinos accused of money laundering and tax evasion. The investigation, a joint effort between the Secretariat of Hacienda and Credit Publico (SHCP), the Security Cabinet, and the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), with support from international agencies like the U.S. Treasury Department, has exposed a complex network of financial irregularities.
Omar García Harfuch, the head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), played a crucial role in revealing this scheme. His expertise and leadership are essential in ensuring the integrity of Mexico’s financial system.
How the Scheme Operated
García Harfuch explained during a press conference that the investigation uncovered intricate patterns of tax evasion and international financial links affecting Mexico’s financial system integrity. The casinos reported cash operations and zero declarations while secretly sending millions abroad through unregulated platforms.
Use of Stolen Identities
Gisel Galeano, the Fiscal Prosecutor, detailed how casinos operated by stealing or fraudulently using the banking data of ordinary citizens, including young people, housewives, and retirees. These individuals were unknowingly used to move illicit funds.
“Their bank accounts or prepaid cards were used for betting with unknown origin money. The systems recorded supposedly massive winnings, which were instantly transferred abroad,” Galeano explained.
These resources were sent to tax havens and later reintroduced into Mexico as legitimate business income or legal earnings, creating a repetitive cycle thousands of times.
Government’s Response and Future Regulations
President Sheinbaum emphasized that her government’s security strategy includes tracking financial flows linked to criminal groups, strengthening collaboration between the UIF, the National Intelligence System, and international partners.
She clarified that legal reasons prevent the disclosure of casino names or involved companies, as investigations are ongoing. However, Sheinbaum Paro hinted at federal efforts to update regulations for digital casinos, a rapidly growing sector lacking sufficient oversight.
“Today, numerous digital casinos operate on social networks and platforms. The regulations must be updated because when the law was enacted, these casinos did not exist as they do now, leaving room for money laundering,” Sheinbaum stated.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was involved in the investigation? The Secretariat of Hacienda and Credit Publico (SHCP), the Security Cabinet, the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF), and international agencies like the U.S. Treasury Department.
- Which casinos were affected? The names of the casinos cannot be disclosed due to ongoing investigations, as per legal reasons.
- What were the methods used for money laundering? Casinos reported cash operations and zero declarations while secretly sending millions abroad through unregulated platforms using stolen identities.
- What actions has the government taken? The government suspended casino operations, blocked electronic pages and bank accounts, and filed denunciations with the Federal Attorney General’s Office for suspected illicit resource operations.
- What regulatory changes are being considered? Federal authorities are working on updating digital casino regulations to address the lack of sufficient oversight in this growing sector.
