Israeli Criminal Network Runs Illegal Loans and Gambling from Prison, Uses Attack Dog for Debt Collection

A serious indictment was filed on Monday against 10 suspects accused of operating an illegal loan and gambling network in Migdal HaEmek, Israel. The criminal ring, led by Asaf Buskila, allegedly ran the operation remotely from the public phone of Shata Prison, where Buskila is serving an eight-year sentence for involvement in two attempted murders. Two other key defendants, Adir Ben Hamo and Meir Amar, served as Buskila’s deputies. The group reportedly operated for four years, handling around 3 million shekels.

The indictment details a scheme that included an online gambling site called 50BET, a gambling apartment with remotely controlled roulette to defraud gamblers, and high-interest loans with rates up to 180% annually. Victims who fell into debt were subjected to severe threats and violence. In one incident, a man named Ze’ev, who owed about 100,000 shekels from gambling losses, was lured to the apartment under false pretenses and attacked by a German shepherd attack dog named "Max," which bit him severely on his arms and legs. After the attack, Ze’ev paid tens of thousands of shekels to cover his debt.

Buskila, known to law enforcement for ties to organized crime groups and previous violent offenses, maintained daily phone contact with his associates outside prison and personally threatened debtors. One debtor, Shimon, was threatened with harm to his family if he did not repay a 60,000-shekel gambling debt. Other victims received explicit threats of violence and sexual assault from the defendants.

The Northern District Prosecutor’s Office, represented by attorneys Shani Malul and Tehila Barness, emphasized that such extortion and violent debt collection have become a "statewide plague," incompatible with the rule of law. The three main defendants face charges including extortion by force and threats, aggravated assault, attempted serious sabotage, conspiracy, money laundering, and tax offenses. The prosecution requested their detention until the trial concludes.