Dark Day for CN Counter-Strike: Whistleblower Alleges Organized Match-Fixing Scandal

Chinese CS2 pro Xu "somebody" Haowen is facing severe match-fixing allegations, with detailed accusations highlighting his involvement in an extensive, organized cheating ring. The scandal implicates top Chinese teams, notorious individuals, and even international players.

somebody stands accused as the deputy leader of a match-fixing network orchestrated by his cousin, Chen Peng (“Mr. C”). Mr. C allegedly controls key teams like Wings Up and ATOX, acting as the main organizer, while somebody executes the cheating schemes as his trusted number two.

Network Structure and Methods

Recent leaks reveal that Mr. C used his influence to rig matches for several teams, with Somebody facilitating the technical side, often through "soft router" cheats. Mr. C even admitted to using these routers “many years ago,” sparking questions over whether all his associated teams benefitted from similar schemes.

The duo reportedly offered players incentives to throw games, including approaching former Falcons player BOROS mid-match to fix a game for Rare Atom – a request BOROS not only refused but also reported with recorded evidence.

"When I was in China, Somebody and his friends asked me to match-fix. I refused and these people need to get banned from esports..."

He thanked his current team Jijiehao for helping him escape the situation and called for harsh sanctions, emphasizing the need to protect competitive integrity worldwide.

High-Stakes Manipulation and International Fallout

Investigations suggest the fixing operation stretched from domestic matches to international tournaments, including the 2024 Shanghai Major RMR Closed Qualifier. Chat logs and recordings indicate that an intermediary “DD” attempted to ensure leaks were contained by arranging private talks, but these efforts ultimately backfired.

Mr. C allegedly begged insiders not to expose somebody, stressing his central role in the network. Evidence surfaced that another team related to Mr. C, DogEvil (then going by the name CatEvil) cheated in the online qualifiers, knocking TYLOO down to the lower bracket, indirectly prompting Yang "JamYoung" Yi's exit from the CS2 scene for VALORANT.

Reports also suggest Mr. C managed enormous fund transfers via Alipay, as the network’s fixing directly tied into gambling syndicates operating both domestically and internationally. The misconduct at ATOX, orchestrated under Mr. C’s leadership, was confirmed by ESIC bans and traced to Chinese organized crime groups, validating months of community suspicion.

Meanwhile, whistleblower ShukeBai challenged Rare Atom to publicly clarify if match-fixing occurred during Somebody’s tenure. There are implications that RA’s wins over TYLOO in the very same RMR Qualifiers could have involved router abuse. Authorities now plan to probe financial transactions tied to these events and are also looking to bring in Mr. C for questioning.

Wider Impact and Community Support

This scandal highlights systemic corruption in Chinese CS2, with Mr. C and Somebody identified as just two key ring-leaders, but many teams and individuals are now under scrutiny.

Importantly, whistleblowers urge support for TYLOO players, stressing their individual integrity despite the toxic environment. The case stands as a stark warning to the global esports industry on the importance of rigorous integrity checks.

With mounting evidence, recorded conversations, and hard-hitting testimonies coming to the surface, the fate of Xu "somebody" Haowen and his collaborators hangs in the balance. The investigation continues as esports authorities, teams, and the community seek accountability, transparency, and a safer, cleaner competitive landscape for Counter-Strike in China and beyond.

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Featured Image Source: Sebastian Pandelache/PGL