New | Beijing police hold online celebrity Guo Meimei on World Cup gambling charges
Guo Meiling allegedly placed wagers on games with illegal gambling ring that took bets by phone or text message and placed them overseas
Guo Meiling, who stepped into the public eye after flaunting her wealth online three years ago, was detained by Beijing police for illegally gambling on World Cup matches.
Guo, also known as Guo Meimei, admitted to police she had taken part in gambling.
Eight other people were held in the operation, police said on Weibo.
The ring accepted bets on the mainland over the telephone or mobile messaging apps, and placed the bets with overseas betting websites, they said
The police made the announcement after The Mirror, a Beijing newspaper, reported on its website that Guo had been held, quoting an unnamed source.
Calls made to Guo’s mobile phone went unanswered on Thursday afternoon.