Counter-Strike: Global Offensive match fixing leads to six arrests in Australia

Police in Australia arrested six men accused of fixing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive esports matches.

According to the police report, six men between the ages of 19-22 were arrested for fixing at least five Counter Strike matches.

The arrests were made after a five month investigation, initiated after a betting agency claimed suspicious activity around the matches.

Warrants to search the premises of the accused were issued and led to the arrests. The suspects were accused of placing bets on their own matches and throwing them, affecting 20 bets in the process.

"Esports is really an emerging sporting industry and with that will come the demand for betting availability on the outcomes of tournaments and matches," said assistant commissioner Neil Paterson, via GI.biz. "These warrants also highlight that police will take any reports of suspicious or criminal activity within esports seriously, and we encourage anyone with information to come forward."

The accused were interviewed and released, but are subject to additional questioning. If found guilty, the men could face up to ten years in prison.