Could the USA pressure CR to stop the scams preying on US citizens?

[SBR_John]

Almost all of these scams such as Sportsbook.com, SBG and Cascade are in Costa Rica. Almost all the victims are Americans.

Can't the US excert some pressure to tell CR to stop allowing these scammers to scam Americans?

I remember during the DDOS attack days goverments worked together to track down and arrest the crooks. Why did that get some kind of international law enforcement standing? Can't these scams get some standing?

[tacomax]

Nope. You involve the US, they'll just arrest any sportsbook owner out there whether or not they're from a scam book or not (and this hinges on whether or not they step foot on US soil or any country with an extradition treaty). You can't bitch about the US Government when they're arresting the Neteller guys but then want them to do something about SBG et al.

What is needed is the industry to put their own house in order. And by the industry, I also mean the sites that promote the scam books. I don't think you need informing who those sites are.

[SBR_John]

I wish we could solve it among ourselves. But with the recent outbreak of scams I just dont think so anymore.

Something has to be done. US players are being outright scammed out of millions of dollars. The US cant look the other way when so many of its citizens are being abused like this.

[Dark Horse]

A website with the pictures, names, amount of money stolen, background, etc of all those scam artists. Any information available, bank accounts, college, everything.

And ways (legal or not) to bring them into the US, and US custody. If gamblers find a way to bring a couple of them into US custody, they will all freak out. lol.

[tacomax]

Something has to be done. US players are being outright scammed out of millions of dollars. The US cant look the other way when so many of its citizens are being abused like this.

They can easily look the other way. US citizens are doing something which the US Government is trying to legislate against. They are most definitely not going to do anything to support an industry has managed to fine them for $100 Billion.

[Dark Horse]

You can't bitch about the US Government when they're arresting the Neteller guys but then want them to do something about SBG et al.

Why not? About time the government does something right.

There must be ways to get these criminals on US soil.

[Dark Horse]

Why won't the CR government do anything against scam books? I missed that one.

[tacomax]

Why not? About time the government does something right.

There must be ways to get these criminals on US soil.

That's not the way. The US will arrest anyone on US soil be it WSEX, BetCRIS or SBG. That isn't "right". It should be up to the offshore locations to police their own territories correctly.

[tacomax]

Why won't the CR government do anything against scam books? I missed that one.

That's more like it. That's my point.

[Rollins08]

The US has bigger fish to fry than than the online gambling problems.

[Dark Horse]

That's not the way. The US will arrest anyone on US soil be it WSEX, BetCRIS or SBG. That isn't "right".

There is an overlap between the US legislation and the interests of gamblers; the correct way to use it would be against scam books.

So if there are creative ways to get those guys on US soil, then why not? It doesn't have to be pretty.

It should be up to the offshore locations to police their own territories correctly.

Ideally.

[jjgold]

No the USA is going to stop internet gambling period so no players are scammed. One of the reassons of the ban was to protect usa bettors.

USA is shutting down Western Union Transfers within 8 months.

[jon13009]

The US DOJ is more interested in shutting down ALL on-line sportsbooks that allow US accounts (on behalf of the NFL, MLB and NBA) than worrying about US depositors.

They want to fine and imprison ANY on-line book owner or major employee that opens its doors to US citizens if they step on US soil, or if interpol wants to hand them over.

I feel, the US Govt could care less if the rest of the world is scammed by sportsbook fraud, and the WTO fine will make the US govt. even less sympathetic.

[SBR Lou]

The US has bigger fish to fry than than the online gambling problems.

Yeah like paying $500 mill to help Mexico or keep our soldiers in Iraq to establish a 'democracy'.

[LVHerbie]

Add Absolute Poker (with one party involved having ties to nine.com as I understand it) to this list of scammers in Costa Rica.... I wonder how many people will end up in jail down there over this mess? My guess is, of course, zero...

[Zeroed]

The USA gov. can do everything, they think they are god.
(that´s of course they only thing they are "good" at..)

As JC said in some other thread: call it the DOJ, call it the gov, call it the FBI..WHATEVER: they aren´t and never will be a gambler´s "friend". Iam not sure what you are hoping for with this thread John, but better forget about it quick..

[increasedodds]

Why doesn't Costa Rica arrest these thieves?

Isn't there more money for a country who runs things like Antigua and legitly than Costa Rica?

Sean

[JED]

Almost all of these scams such as Sportsbook.com, SBG and Cascade are in Costa Rica. Almost all the victims are Americans.

Can't the US excert some pressure to tell CR to stop allowing these scammers to scam Americans?

I remember during the DDOS attack days goverments worked together to track down and arrest the crooks. Why did that get some kind of international law enforcement standing? Can't these scams get some standing?

so you want the US to excert some(more) pressure?

[Dark Horse]

Most of these recent scam books are located in CR. Cascade, SBG. (not sure about sportsbook.com. Malta?) So stop playing in CR, until that government shows its willingness to protect US players. Panama and the Bahamas seem to have their act together. F*ck CR.

If gamblers can organize to the point of boycotting a country as a whole, that would send a very strong message.

[tblues2005]

Dark Horse,

Your exactly right they should organize a boycott against that country until they get their act together.

[Dark Horse]

Glad you agree. I was starting to think I had crossed into the forbidden land, with nothing but corpses and dead things.

[tacomax]

Most of these recent scam books are located in CR. Cascade, SBG. (not sure about sportsbook.com. Malta?) So stop playing in CR, until that government shows its willingness to protect US players. Panama and the Bahamas seem to have their act together. F*ck CR.

BetOnSports was based in Antigua. Here's a story from TOW dated March 2007 about the effectiveness of the Antigua Directorate of Offshore Gaming.

BETonSPORTS' owed customers who recently contacted the Antigua Directorate of Offshore Gaming have been told that efforts to collect BETonSPORTS debts from alleged creditors haven't succeeded.

Cliff L. Williams, Regulatory Department Manager of the Antigua Directorate of Offshore Gaming, has been saying that no money has been recovered to date, owed U.S. players reported.

The Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) of Antigua and Barbuda filed a restraining order in the High Court of Justice, against BETonSPORTS (Antigua) Ltd at the beginning of December 2006.

Under the order BETonSPORTS Antigua Ltd is restrained from entering into any agreement or arrangement to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of cash and assets within or outside of Antigua and Barbuda without the consent, management and supervision of FSRC.

The restraining order was put in place 4 months after BETonSPORTS had shut down its gambling Web sites and suspended all financial transactions. The vast majority of the company's assets had been sold in the month prior to the restraining order coming into effect.

Kaye McDonald, Director of the Financial Services Regulatory Commission, Division of Gaming and BETonSPORTS plc Director Clive Archer have been "pleased to work together" in the useless attempt to collect questionable receivables.

Antigua officials reportedly received a donation of $167,000 from BETonSPORTS plc in 2005. The donation was made to support Antigua's efforts with their WTO case against the United States.

Archer is scheduled to testify against a player who filed a money claim against BETonSPORTS plc in an upcoming court hearing in the United Kingdom.

The effectiveness of Antigua's restraining order on BETonSPORTS was in doubt since its inception. "Some assets, limited at best, where still in Antigua." BETonSPORTS former communication director Kevin Smith said in an exclusive interview with TheOnlinewire.com in January.

BETonSPORTS Antigua Ltd was a mere marketing unit of BETonSPORTS plc until suddenly "dignified" of much greater importance and role by the Antigua Directorate of Offshore Gaming, leading to speculations of window dressing to protect the company's UK held assets.

Meanwhile BETonSPORTS plc has become a mere "shell" company, its current address registered with a London based Law firm.

Also BetPanAm were located in Panama. That's two of the biggest stiffs in recent memory both based in "safe" countries.

As an aside, Jazette seem to be based in Antigua as well.

[Dark Horse]

Jazette is headquartered in Malta, I believe, but most of its books seem to be operating from CR. But I may have that wrong.

I'm talking about the recent scams, one on top of the other. Not those from a year ago. Books clearly seem to realize that the CR government is a joke, so a boycott could be effective.

And even if it isn't just CR, the power of such a boycott would make books anywhere think twice. If it is pulled off once, that same focus could be targeted elsewhere.

With the power of the internet a boycott is within reach. Problem is that it may harm the weaker books first, and leave sportsbook.com relatively unharmed. But targeting only one book would not change the situation in the country.