MB wires flagged by FBI

[djtrub]

I live in the U.S. I'm a pro poker player that decided to take up sports-betting about a year ago. I loaded 60k onto the site in 3 transfers last year. I was called yesterday by the head of my state's gambling control telling me that I was being "monitored" by the FBI and that those transfers put up red flags. I spoke with the agent on the phone today and he said what I was doing is illegal and I could go to prison for up to 10 years +fines. What I'm concerned about is being black-balled from moving $ on and off of sportsbooks in the U.S. I was under the impression online gambling was still a gray area but the agent told me I had violated a bunch of state laws and probably also committed some felonies. I'm paying taxes on everything so I'm in shock that this is happening. Has this happened to anyone else here? Any recommendations on a new country to move to?
Sorry I wasn't clear, this is Matchbook.

[obamaismyuncle]

the SBR brass loves reading these types of things..

[djtrub]

Obviously I'm a huge noob. If this kind of shit is standard I apologize.

[Deuce]

Bad beat

[lemart5]

Lawyer up and the next time they call let your Lawyer answer the questions

[senseionline]

There is no federal law against playing online.

[whatsgood5]

What state do you live in?

[senseionline]

Most RiskTaking sports bets over U.S. phone lines
Taking bets on a server located in the U.S.
Taking bets on a foreign server, and then visiting the U.S.
Facilitating the transfer of funds to online casinos (payment processors), and then visiting the U.S.
Facilitating the transfer of funds to online casinos (payment processors), whether in the US. or not.
Taking casino / poker bets from U.S. customers on a website outside the U.S.
Helping people make bets on a website
Accepting advertising for Internet gambling, in the major media
Accepting advertising for Internet gambling, smaller media
Buying advertising in a U.S. publication as a casino, poker room, or affiliate
Placing bets yourself on the Internet

[LUSabres]

So what there saying is that Moneybookers is an illegal financial service. Ask him what financial method they like. So many options. Although, this thread is probably bullshit.

[djtrub]

montana

[dfberger23]

Lawyer up and the next time they call let your Lawyer answer the questions

[Deuce]

There is no federal law against playing online.

The illegality is the actual funding of offshore accounts. Playing is legal.

[djtrub]

So what there saying is that Moneybookers is an illegal financial service. Ask him what financial method they like. So many options. Although, this thread is probably bullshit.

No it's definitey real. I'm pretty reputable on 2+2 if any reg is concerned about this being true pm me and can verify it's me.

[jjgold]

sounds like a strange story

[FuzzyDunlop]

OP, why aren't you a pro here moving 60K around on books? I've seen pornos with stories that make more sense.

[obamaismyuncle]

OP, why aren't you a pro here moving 60K around on books? I've seen pornos with stories that make more sense.

seriously? people who are moving 60k around I doubt are worried about scoring an extra 6 points a day.

[FuzzyDunlop]

If this guy is moving 60K around, then I fart leprechauns.

[B1GER1C828]

seriously? people who are moving 60k around I doubt are worried about scoring an extra 6 points a day.

i dont got moeny in MB and i dont use wires so i dnt care much but i hope it all works out for ya pal

[mighty maron]

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29/news-views-gossip/proposed-new-rules-international-electronic-money-transfers-886211/

This was proposed by the Obama Admin.

That being said this sounds fishy on one front. One would think that this phonecall would be delegated to a lackey instead of the state head. He/she has nothing better to do than to call you on this minor transaction.

[capitalist pig]

Im not doubting you, but it seems very strange that any state agency would alert you about the FBI monitoring your activities,JMO.

later

[StraitShooter]

You can thank Bin Laden for this shit

Any corporation in the business of transferring money in the US is required to notify the feds about any large transactions

they gotta make sure you aint using that money for weapons of mass destruction because if you were ever on CNN for having committed an act of terrorism somebody`s ass would be on the line as to why they did not question your large transactions

Stick to playing small and you wont have a problem

[StraitShooter]

If this guy is moving 60K around, then I fart leprechauns.

I agree around here you cant trust your own fuken shadow. I sometimes wonder by has apparent naitivity (is that a word root naive) mid way in the thread if JJ Gold himself did not post this just to stir the shit

There is so much deception going on here it makes my stomach upset and want to puke

[ttwarrior1]

montana? todd brunson? doyle?

[Bill Dozer]

Interesting. What are the state laws in Montana? Ive never heard of anyone being contacted by state gambling control. What does he want you to do now?

Here is a pretty good breakdown. It's an article on known cases and opinion.
Players have little to fear from the feds. There is no federal law against playing online. U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway admitted in a 2007 House hearing that just placing wagers online isn't against federal law. Players might run afoul of state laws, but even that is rare. The one case we know of is Jeffrey Trauman, of North Dakota, who paid a $500 fine on what was probably over $100,000 in sports bet winnings. (Gambling & the Law)

[Al Masters]

No it's definitey real. I'm pretty reputable on 2+2 if any reg is concerned about this being true pm me and can verify it's me.

Where is Peter Falcone?

[StraitShooter]

Actually the first post can be true. In a a way you are being monitored by the FBI because the FBI mandates that the money handlers report such sizeable transactions to them

** has to report any large transactions to the feds

thats why I have not and can not use ** anymore

One day after sending 800 bucks ** it never got to 5Dimes. i called ** and they put a hold on the transaction until I sent in the proper documentation verifying where I got the funds, their intentions and how many pimples on my ass

I lied and told em I would fill out the forms and they approved that last transaction but since that day I cannot recieve ** and I sned the money ** in smaller increments under friends and families names to my account


Funny thing is my best friend Robbie is also black listed at ** and he has never sent money in his life and has no idea he is black listed cause I used his name a shit load of times too

[djtrub]

Im not doubting you, but it seems very strange that any state agency would alert you about the FBI monitoring your activities,JMO.

later

I don't think he introduced his title or if he did I didn't hear it. I guess it's possible he works for the department of justice or some other state office but when I talked to the gambling control guy he said it was the secret service that had flagged me. I guess the gambling control guy is buddies with lots of agents all over the state.... To people doubting the story, I told you I can prove I am an extemely reputable poster on another forum (have made 30k bets on the honor system on that forum). I was kind of in deer in the headlights mode and just in shock.

[Gio21]

First of all no state or federal representative would ever call you and tell you are being monitered its not the way they work. Why would they give you a heads up and let you they are looking into you just gives you a chance to cover up if you are doing something illegal. Doesn't make sense

[StraitShooter]

You dont need to prove anything to anyone

If the transactions are as sizeable as you claim then you would expect 100% to be questioned

the guy can say the feds or SS are watching you because its true. Its his job to report your large transactions to them in many ways he is the first line of defense but it will be the feds who knock on your door if you are deemed a threat

[StraitShooter]

they are also concerned about large transactions being drug or laundered money

[Justin7]

Make sure this isn't a joke. Get them to put their statement in writing, so you can confirm the source.

to my knowledge, there is no law against either gambling, or an individual sending/receiving money for gambling. All finance laws target banks, not players.

If the state gaming control is making unsupported threats, you might want to file a complaint with your Attorney Bar Association. This is probably crap.

[djtrub]

Interesting. What are the state laws in Montana? Ive never heard of anyone being contacted by state gambling control. What does he want you to do now?

Here is a pretty good breakdown. It's an article on known cases and opinion.
Players have little to fear from the feds. There is no federal law against playing online. U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway admitted in a 2007 House hearing that just placing wagers online isn't against federal law. Players might run afoul of state laws, but even that is rare. The one case we know of is Jeffrey Trauman, of North Dakota, who paid a $500 fine on what was probably over $100,000 in sports bet winnings. (Gambling & the Law)

He asked a bunch of questions about matchbook and told me to cut the shit out or I would be prosecuted. I guess this means my sportsbetting career is over unless I change states or countries?

[Justin7]

He asked a bunch of questions about matchbook and told me to cut the shit out or I would be prosecuted. I guess this means my sportsbetting career is over unless I change states or countries?

I wouldn't answer any questions without a warrant, and an attorney present.

[jpb383]

I wouldn't answer any questions without a warrant, and an attorney present.

Justin getting a call like that would definitely be overwhelming; I doubt those things were on his mind when he was talking to this individual. But he should consult either a lawyer or an accountant who have more knowledge on the legality aspect...

[WvGambler]

Maybe if you just say you're sorry.