Full Tilt, Pokerstars, Ultimate Bet seized by gov't?

[CanuckG]

Like I said before...they want US-based sites so the govt. can make money off of them. Read this..pretty sad.

Of the billions of

dollars in payment transactions that the Poker Companies tricked

U.S. banks into processing, approximately one-third or more of

the funds went directly to the Poker Companies as revenue through

the "rake" charged to players on almost every poker hand played

online.

[mighty maron]

http://pokernewsboy.com/legal-poker-news/full-tilt-pokerstars-ub-and-ap-poker-charged-with-fraud/6549

[CanuckG]

The Indictment and Civil Complaint seek at least $3
billion in civil money laundering penalties and forfeiture from
the Poker Companies and the defendants.

[borednaz]

Yup, take it out if you got it. Change your name to a fake one in the reg & kiss online poker goodbye boys.. WOW What a ride.

[ttwarrior1]

great i win 1 k this week on one of those sites and i probaly won't be able to get my money off . this happened because i was born, sorry, its my fault, really

[excel]

Seems pretty clear cut, taken from press release...

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge JANICE K. FEDARCYK
said: "These defendants, knowing full well that their business
with U.S. customers and U.S. banks was illegal, tried to stack
the deck. They lied to banks about the true nature of their
business. Then, some of the defendants found banks willing to
flout the law for a fee. The defendants bet the house that they
could continue their scheme, and they lost."

[ttwarrior1]

who are the defendants?

[Smoke]

Glad I only play sbr poker and live table games

[CanuckG]

1 Count of UIGEA violation - 5 years, 250k fine
1 Count of operating an illegal gambling business - 5 years, 250k fine
1 Count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud - 30 years, 1 mil fine
1 Count of money laundering - 20 years, 500k fine

those charged:

[donkdown]

United States Attorney Southern District of New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 15, 2011
CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ELLEN DAVIS, CARLY SULLIVAN, JERIKA RICHARDSON, EDELI RIVERA PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE (212) 637-2600
FBI TIM FLANNELLY, JIM MARGOLIN PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE (212) 384-2100
MANHATTAN U.S. ATTORNEY CHARGES PRINCIPALS OF THREE LARGEST INTERNET POKER COMPANIES WITH BANK
FRAUD, ILLEGAL GAMBLING OFFENSES AND LAUNDERING BILLIONS IN ILLEGAL GAMBLING PROCEEDS
Multi-Billion Dollar Civil Money Laundering And Forfeiture Action Also Filed
Internet Domain Names Used By The Poker Companies Seized
PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and JANICE FEDARCYK, the Assistant-Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced the unsealing of an Indictment today charging eleven defendants, including the founders of the three largest Internet poker companies doing business in the United States - PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, and Absolute Poker (the "Poker Companies")- with bank fraud, money laundering, and illegal gambling offenses. The United States also filed a civil money laundering and in rem forfeiture complaint (the "Civil Complaint") against the Poker Companies, their assets, and the assets of several payment processors for the Poker Companies. In addition, restraining orders were issued against more than 75 bank accounts utilized by the Poker Companies and their payment processors, and five Internet domain names used by the Poker Companies to host their illegal poker games were seized.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA said: "As charged, these defendants concocted an elaborate criminal fraud scheme, alternately tricking some U.S. banks and effectively bribing others to assure the continued flow of billions in illegal gambling profits. Moreover, as we allege, in their zeal
to circumvent the gambling laws, the defendants also engaged in massive money laundering and bank fraud. Foreign firms that choose to operate in the United States are not free to flout the laws they don’t like simply because they can’t bear to be parted from their profits."
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge JANICE K. FEDARCYK said: "These defendants, knowing full well that their business with U.S. customers and U.S. banks was illegal, tried to stack the deck. They lied to banks about the true nature of their business. Then, some of the defendants found banks willing to flout the law for a fee. The defendants bet the house that they could continue their scheme, and they lost."
According to the Indictment and the Civil Complaint unsealed today:
On October 13, 2006, the United States enacted the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act ("UIGEA"), making it a federal crime for gambling businesses to "knowingly accept" most forms of payment "in connection with the participation of another person in unlawful Internet gambling." Despite the passage of UIGEA, the Poker Companies, located offshore, continued operating in the United States. In a press release dated October 16, 2006, Absolute Poker announced that the company would continue its U.S. operations because "the U.S. Congress has no control over" the
company’s
unwilling allegedly trick these institutions into processing payments on their behalf. For example, defendants ISAI SCHEINBERG and PAUL TATE of PokerStars, RAYMOND BITAR and NELSON BURTNICK of Full Tilt Poker, and SCOTT TOM and BRENT BECKLEY of Absolute Poker, arranged for the money received from U.S. gamblers to be disguised as payments to hundreds of non-existent online merchants purporting to sell merchandise such as jewelry and golf balls. Of the billions of dollars in payment transactions that the Poker Companies tricked U.S. banks into processing, approximately one-third or more of the funds went directly to the Poker Companies as revenue through the "rake" charged to players on almost every poker hand played online.
payment transactions.
As alleged in the Indictment, to accomplish their fraud, the Poker Companies worked with an array of highly compensated "payment processors" – including defendants RYAN LANG, IRA RUBIN, BRADLEY FRANZEN, and CHAD ELIE – who obtained
-2
Because U.S. banks and CC issuers were largely to process their payments, the Poker Companies used fraudulent methods to circumvent federal law and
accounts at U. S. banks for the Poker Companies. The payment processors lied to banks about the nature of the financial transactions they were processing, and covered up those lies, by, among other things, creating phony corporations and websites to disguise payments to the Poker Companies. For example, a PokerStars document from May 2009 acknowledged that they received money from U.S. gamblers through company names that "strongly imply the transaction has nothing to do with PokerStars," and that PokerStars used whatever company names "the processor can get approved by the bank."
By late 2009, after U.S. banks and financial institutions detected and shut down multiple fraudulent bank accounts used by the Poker Companies, SCHEINBERG and BITAR developed a new processing strategy that would not involve lying to banks. PokerStars, FullTilt Poker, and their payment processors persuaded the principals of a few small, local banks facing financial difficulties to engage in such processing in return for multi-million dollar investments in the banks. For example, in September 2009, ELIE and others approached defendant JOHN CAMPOS, the Vice Chairman of the Board and part-owner of SunFirst Bank, a small, private bank based in Saint George, Utah, about processing Internet poker transactions. While expressing "trepidations," CAMPOS allegedly agreed to process gambling transactions in return for a $10 million investment in SunFirst by ELIE and an associate, which would give them a more than 30% ownership stake in the bank. CAMPOS also requested and received a $20,000 "bonus" for his assistance. In an e-mail, one of ELIE’s associates boasted that they had "purchased" SunFirst and that they "were looking to purchase" "a grand total of 3 or 4 banks" to process payments.
The Indictment and Civil Complaint seek at least $3 billion in civil money laundering penalties and forfeiture from the Poker Companies and the defendants. The District Court issued an order restraining approximately 76 bank accounts in 14 countries containing the proceeds of the charged offenses. Pursuant to a warrant for arrest in rem issued by the U.S. District Court, the United States also seized five Internet domain names used by the Poker Companies to operate their illegal online businesses in the United States.
** *
Defendants CAMPOS and ELIE were arrested this morning in Saint George, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada, respectively. ELIE will appear later today before a U. S. Magistrate Court Judge in Las Vegas, Nevada. CAMPOS will appear before a U.S. Magistrate
-3
Court Judge in Saint George, Utah on April 18, 2011. Defendant FRANZEN is expected to appear for his arraignment on April 19, 2011 in the Southern District of New York. Defendants BITAR, SCHEINBERG, BURTNICK, TATE, TOM, BECKLEY, RUBIN and LANG are not presently in the United States and have not yet been arrested. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is working with foreign law enforcement agencies and Interpol to secure the arrest of these defendants and the seizure of criminal proceeds located abroad. BITAR, TOM, RUBIN, BECKLEY, CAMPOS, ELIE, and FRANZEN are U. S. citizens. A chart identifying each defendant, the charges, and the maximum penalties, is attached to this release.
U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA praised the FBI for its outstanding leadership in the investigation, which he noted is ongoing. Mr. BHARARA also thanked Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s New York and New Jersey offices, and the Washington State Gambling Commission, for their assistance in the investigation.
The matters announced today are being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Asset Forfeiture Units. Assistant U.S. Attorneys ARLO DEVLIN-BROWN and NICOLE FRIEDLANDER are in charge of the criminal case, and Assistant U. S. Attorneys SHARON COHEN LEVIN, MICHAEL LOCKARD and JASON COWLEY are in charge of the civil money laundering and forfeiture actions.
The charges contained in the Indictment and Civil Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
11-098 ###
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U. S. v. Scheinberg et al. (10 Cr. 336)
Defendant
Citizenship
Residence
Age
ISAI SCHEINBERG
Canada; Israel
Isle of Man
64 (est.)
RAYMOND BITAR
United States
California Ireland
39
SCOTT TOM
United States
Costa Rica
31
BRENT BECKLEY
United States
Costa Rica
31
NELSON BURTNICK
Canada
Ireland
40
PAUL TATE
Isle of Man
RYAN LANG
Canada
Canada
36
BRADLEY FRANZEN
United States
Illinois Cost Rica
41
IRA RUBIN
United States
Costa Rica
52
CHAD ELIE
United States
Nevada
31
JOHN CAMPOS
United States
Utah
57
Count
Charge
Defendants
Maximum Penalties
1
Conspiracy to
Internet Gambling
(UIGIEA)
Violate Unlawful
Enforcement Act
ISAI SCHEINBERG, RAYMOND BITAR, SCOTT TOM, BRENT BECKLEY, NELSON BURTNICK, PAUL TATE,
RYAN LANG, BRADLEY FRANZEN, IRA RUBIN, CHAD ELIE, JOHN CAMPOS
5 years in prison; fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss; 3 years supervised release
2
Violation of Unlawful Internet Gambling
(UIGIEA) - PokerStars
Enforcement Act
ISAI SCHEINBERG, NELSON BURTNICK, PAUL TATE, RYAN LANG, BRADLEY FRANZEN, IRA RUBIN,
CHAD ELIE, JOHN CAMPOS
5 years in prison; fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss; 3 years supervised release
Count
Charge
Defendants
Maximum Penalties
3
Violation of Unlawful Internet Gambling
(UIGIEA) - Full Tilt Poker
Enforcement Act
RAYMOND BITAR, NELSON BURTNICK, RYAN LANG, BRADLEY FRANZEN, IRA RUBIN,
CHAD ELIE, JOHN CAMPOS
5 years in prison; fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss; 3 years supervised release
4
Violation of Unlawful Internet Gambling
(UIGIEA) Absolute Poker
Enforcement Act
SCOTT TOM, BRENT BECKLEY, RYAN LANG, BRADLEY FRANZEN, IRA RUBIN, CHAD ELIE
5 years in prison; fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss; 3 years supervised release
5
Operation of Illegal Gambling Business - PokerStars
ISAI SCHEINBERG, NELSON BURTNICK, PAUL TATE, RYAN LANG, BRADLEY FRANZEN, IRA RUBIN,
CHAD ELIE, JOHN CAMPOS
5 years in prison; fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss; 3 years supervised release; forfeiture of proceeds of offense
6
Operation of Illegal Gambling Business - Full Tilt Poker
RAYMOND BITAR, NELSON BURTNICK, RYAN LANG, BRADLEY FRANZEN, IRA RUBIN,
CHAD ELIE, JOHN CAMPOS
5 years in prison; fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss; 3 years supervised release; forfeiture of proceeds of offense
7
Operation of Illegal Gambling Business Absolute Poker
SCOTT TOM, BRENT BECKLEY, RYAN LANG, BRADLEY FRANZEN, IRA RUBIN, CHAD ELIE
5 years in prison; fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss; 3 years supervised release; forfeiture of proceeds of offense
Count
Charge
Defendants
Maximum Penalties
8
Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Wire Fraud
ISAI SCHEINBERG, RAYMOND BITAR, BRENT BECKLEY, NELSON BURTNICK, PAUL TATE,
RYAN LANG, BRADLEY FRANZEN, IRA RUBIN, CHAD ELIE
30 years in prison; fine of $1,000,000 or twice the gross gain or loss; 5 years supervised release; forfeiture of proceeds of offense
9
Money Laundering Conspiracy
ISAI SCHEINBERG, RAYMOND BITAR, BRENT BECKLEY, NELSON BURTNICK, PAUL TATE,
RYAN LANG, BRADLEY FRANZEN, IRA RUBIN, CHAD ELIE, JOHN CAMPOS
20 years in prison; fine of $500,000 or twice the amount laundered; 3 years supervised release; forfeiture of proceeds of offense

[ttwarrior1]

i just logged into all 3 and played???

[Deuce]

Legalize and tax. That simple. The cash is already taxed through income tax. Money hungry cock suckers. We elect these people, its unreal.

[CanuckG]

Okay no need for the entire thing to be copy pasted...this says it all.

[excel]

Will this set online poker back years or move it forward at a faster pace?

[CanuckG]

i just logged into all 3 and played???

Yeah you can play right now....but lets say in 48 hours...what happens? Do you think your money is safe?

[CanuckG]

Will this set online poker back years or move it forward at a faster pace?

I don't see much difference. Online Poker will still be around...but not the ones based from foreign countries that do all this loophole shit for extra money.

[ttwarrior1]

no idea, i cashed out yesterday. Sites were seized a little over a year ago also. This is nothing but unemployed attorneys filing suit

[vyomguy]

USA is a major market for these companies....if they loose US market, they loose like 60% of their sites revenue....these sites cant afford that.

[horja1]

Horja1 open your eyes pal...bunch of links on this thread already.

it took me a while to finish my post ... saw the links afterwards

[excel]

Wonder how many of these guys also own sportsbooks and which ones?

[Wiggums5]

USA is a major market for these companies....if they loose US market, they loose like 60% of their sites revenue....these sites cant afford that.

this isn't just for the US

[Emily_Haines]

America land of the slaves and home of the cowards.

[horja1]

the sites won't prob work anymore for US players only ... don't think the rest of the world will be affected by this ... right?

[CanuckG]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-04-12-DC-Internet-gambling.htm

Future of Internet Gambling

[excel]

What about bodog?

[Wiggums5]

the sites won't prob work anymore for US players only ... don't think the rest of the world will be affected by this ... right?

no everyone

[Cap dat 4ss]

Just cashed out at PS and FT. Will reload if everything turns out fine but atleast I got mine if not

[CanuckG]

My friend says he can still get to the sites...works for some I guess still.

[excel]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...t-gambling.htm

Future of Internet Gambling

I like how the U.S. came in and smashed all the competition in a mafia type hit. I would imagine all the books that didn't get hit will be stationed in D.C.

[excel]

Yeah ub and ap .com are seized for me but fulltilt and pokerstars aren't yet.

[sweethook]

Will this set online poker back years or move it forward at a faster pace?

100 % true

[OmgUrMom]

this isn't just for the US

what do you mean this isnt just for the US?

please explain...

[Wiggums5]

just check all the posts over at 2+2...people outside the US are getting the FBI message as well

[OmgUrMom]

why are people still able to log onto the sites though???

[vyomguy]

why are people still able to log onto the sites though???

It takes 48 hours for the DNS records to expire...check in 2 days.