Bestake.com warning

**Zvone** · 07-08-10, 04:49 AM

response from Moneybookers:

"Please be kindly advised that Moneybookers is a FSA regulated payment provider and as such we have Privacy policy so we are not able to provide you with any information concerning the account of any other person/ company but yours.

I would also like to assure you that we have already reported the issue to the respective authorities like SOCA so we are doing our best to protect our customers from fraud. Since your lawyer is on the case, we would recommend that they contact SOCA and any other gaming regulation authority for more details or to assist with information for tehir investigations."

**one beer too few** · 07-08-10, 05:24 AM

Worst scam ever!! i feel bad for all those stung by these scammers, although in reality i doubt much can be done to bring the owner to justice, he was probably on a flight to a non extradition country with a suitcase full of cash just as the first post came on here.

**Tedd** · 07-08-10, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by Zvone

response from Moneybookers:

"Please be kindly advised that Moneybookers is a FSA regulated payment provider and as such we have Privacy policy so we are not able to provide you with any information concerning the account of any other person/ company but yours.

I would also like to assure you that we have already reported the issue to the respective authorities like SOCA so we are doing our best to protect our customers from fraud. Since your lawyer is on the case, we would recommend that they contact SOCA and any other gaming regulation authority for more details or to assist with information for tehir investigations."

did anyone have feedback from their lawyer?

**kkkkk** · 07-09-10, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by one beer too few

Worst scam ever!! i feel bad for all those stung by these scammers, although in reality i doubt much can be done to bring the owner to justice, he was probably on a flight to a non extradition country with a suitcase full of cash just as the first post came on here.

same opinion - biggest scam ever. they tried to bet against players, and when they failed they decided to play that scam . one think is sure, never trust costa rican sportbooks.

**suitedaces** · 07-12-10, 03:07 AM

any news?

**kkkkk** · 07-12-10, 06:19 AM

seems like nothing. at least not until 16 august, but maybe even then not.

**poker_player** · 07-12-10, 08:43 AM

Are you kiring?
You belive that?
Over 16 August? Right...

W've been robed. And the guy is not coming back

**Tedd** · 07-12-10, 08:50 AM

It is not over until it is over!Right now it isn't over!

**davidchong** · 07-12-10, 10:24 AM

owner is in Australia

**kkkkk** · 07-12-10, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by davidchong

owner is in Australia

how do you know that? any source or just rumors?

**franky** · 07-13-10, 01:29 AM

Moneybookers make NOTHING about the problem, they send me every day an email - "we cant do anything, you have to contact them"
Finally do you know who will get the money????? - MONEYBOOKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Our money is in moneybookers and they dont want to give it. We can only "thank" moneybookers!!

**austin** · 07-13-10, 01:44 AM

Originally posted by franky

Moneybookers make NOTHING about the problem, they send me every day an email - "we cant do anything, you have to contact them"
Finally do you know who will get the money????? - MONEYBOOKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Our money is in moneybookers and they dont want to give it. We can only "thank" moneybookers!!

dude, don't blame moneybookers, it is not their fault that you fell for those scammers. in fact you should ask yourself - why did you put your funds into some dodge scam book in the first place? arbs and eazie moniz in' it?

**acarmelo1** · 07-14-10, 12:59 AM

Originally posted by franky

Moneybookers make NOTHING about the problem, they send me every day an email - "we cant do anything, you have to contact them"
Finally do you know who will get the money????? - MONEYBOOKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Our money is in moneybookers and they dont want to give it. We can only "thank" moneybookers!!

Is not their problem, they just transfer money. Dont shoot the messenger

**Lockers** · 07-14-10, 02:13 AM

Hey everybody, I waas wondering if anybody who has been in touch with private investigators or a lawyers in Costa Rica (ppossibly those mentioned in this thread) had heard anything from them? Is there any chance there's going to be any legal action taken against them? I'm sure there are more people here who might be interested to be part of a class action against the responsible parties if they knew a bit more about what was going on...

**MoolaMan** · 07-14-10, 02:38 AM

Seems like a lot of people get stiffed.

**mano** · 07-14-10, 03:49 AM

Sorry for you guys, this story can't show how bad it can get

**Tedd** · 07-14-10, 08:26 AM

Originally posted by Lockers

Hey everybody, I waas wondering if anybody who has been in touch with private investigators or a lawyers in Costa Rica (ppossibly those mentioned in this thread) had heard anything from them? Is there any chance there's going to be any legal action taken against them? I'm sure there are more people here who might be interested to be part of a class action against the responsible parties if they knew a bit more about what was going on...

hey I want to know it as well if there is any news.....anyone taking up legal action?

**SadZizou** · 07-15-10, 05:06 AM

I talked with a lawyer in Costarica, an usual cooperator with Italian embassy. He thinks there's room for a legal action. For a legal action of at least 20 people, the costs would be 600each plus 25% of money back.

**austin** · 07-15-10, 06:09 AM

sounds like a good deal

**austin** · 07-15-10, 08:32 AM

just be careful not to be double-scammed, aka bestake posting on behalf of the 'good' lawyer and collecting whatever money left

**tommygun** · 07-15-10, 10:38 AM

Hmmm, is Bestake site still running?

**lukahh** · 07-15-10, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by SadZizou

I talked with a lawyer in Costarica, an usual cooperator with Italian embassy. He thinks there's room for a legal action. For a legal action of at least 20 people, the costs would be 600each plus 25% of money back.

600 each?!?
triple scam.
forget costarica lawyer. 12k for legal action?!

but i advise you guys to do invest some $ into legal action in UK, to get that cash that's left on moneybookers. mb can't just give you the money, they need legal order to release it to you. good luck!
and - be careful with no name books, especially with above market bonuses and odds...

**rcrd** · 07-15-10, 12:25 PM

I think this attorney is a thief

**Toit** · 07-15-10, 02:41 PM

Originally posted by tommygun

Hmmm, is Bestake site still running?

Why?
Do you want to make a deposit?

**tommygun** · 07-15-10, 11:50 PM

Originally posted by Toit

Why? Do you want to make a deposit?

Haha of course not I just wanted to know if the place was still running, I actually checked it last night and they are still listing matches for all sports but with no money matched of course.

**Lockers** · 07-16-10, 01:01 AM

600 what?? Euro? US? GBP?

I'm guessing that would be upfront to right?

I'd want a few more details from him about exactly what kind of legal action he intends etc before I hand over my money. But if he thinks that there is a good chance of recovering my money I'd be in I think. Anyone else? we need 20...

And moneybookers is just a wallet, you won't get the money from them... we don't even know if they are holding the funds. Unless they failed to verify that bestake was legit in some way (whichever processes they use) then they're not at fault.

**kkkkk** · 07-16-10, 01:45 PM

looks like a double scam for me. as far as i know living standard in Costa Rica isnt that high. I think there must be some lawyer who can do the work for 100 eur or max 500 eur. Dont fail in that trap to pay 12 k to this prior having his job done!

**dark_knight** · 07-16-10, 02:19 PM

Maybe worth trying to negotiate a no-win no-fee type situation? So rather than 600 up front and 25% of amount reclaimed, 0 upfront and 35% of amount reclaimed. Of course they'd only be up for that if they thought it likely the case would be a success. If they don't think so then not much point paying more money up front.

**noyb** · 07-16-10, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by dark_knight

Maybe worth trying to negotiate a no-win no-fee type situation? So rather than 600 up front and 25% of amount reclaimed, 0 upfront and 35% of amount reclaimed. Of course they'd only be up for that if they thought it likely the case would be a success.

even if the lawyer thinks this might be a success (and he probably doesn't think so anyway), it's still very uncertain there's actually a whole lot of money there to reclaim if he succeeds in getting through to the right people. i've said it before in this thread, but no lawyer will do this on a no cure, no pay-basis.
you've gotta realize there have been dozens of scams exactly like this. people that got scammed were just as frustrated as you, then after a while they realize they need to spend money to pay the lawyer without any guarantee and the thread eventually dies down. this will be exactly the same, no way 20 of you will post up 600 euro/dollar/whatever, since there's no way you'll get that money back, on top of what you've already lost.

it's a shame because after all these years it would actually be fun to see an actual lawyer making an actual effort tracking down one of these CR scamjobs.

**dark_knight** · 07-16-10, 09:35 PM

Just to clarify, I don't actually have any money involved here. I'd never heard of them until I saw this thread. Sadly I agree with you that it's pretty unlikely any lawyer would get involved without money upfront.

However, given that people probably can't afford / don't want to risk losing even more money on an upfront fee I thought it at least worth trying. After all, if they refuse to take the case with a promise of 60% payment on win or something, then you know there would have been absolutely no point paying anything up front.

**Lockers** · 07-16-10, 10:05 PM

It might not be the case for others, for me though, I've lost money that I was prepared to gamble. This isn't my life savings. I'd just like to see the culprits get F$%#@D.

I'd be all in on a 'no win no fee' type deal and in that case I'd be happy to pay $600 +25% of my funds, because that's still far ahead of where I'm at now.

I'm aware that it could possibly be another scam - and that any lawyer would tell a prospective client that they're likely to win. What I'd like to hear is whether is exactly how much work or research this lawyer has already done investigating the case.

I want to know how many others are thinking along the same lines as me.

SadZIzou -Can you divulge any more??

**Tedd** · 07-17-10, 04:40 AM

Originally posted by Lockers

It might not be the case for others, for me though, I've lost money that I was prepared to gamble. This isn't my life savings. I'd just like to see the culprits get F$%#@D.

I'd be all in on a 'no win no fee' type deal and in that case I'd be happy to pay $600 +25% of my funds, because that's still far ahead of where I'm at now.

I'm aware that it could possibly be another scam - and that any lawyer would tell a prospective client that they're likely to win. What I'd like to hear is whether is exactly how much work or research this lawyer has already done investigating the case.

I want to know how many others are thinking along the same lines as me.

SadZIzou -Can you divulge any more??

Iagree with you Locker, there is not enough info to go on with and all we can do is speculate or refer to cases in the past.All the correspondence with the lawyer needs to be posted for everyone involved to read,then we could make up our own minds and the lawyer has to provide some sort off "evidence" that would confirm that there is a provision in the costa rican law and similar cases to back up their claim that there is a chance of getting our money back,otherwise we all be going on a blind date so to speak.
As well we all have questions and concerns that we have to be able to ask the lawyer and get answers for example what if "Mr Bestake" isn't Costa Rican ?can they obtain info on Bestakes account and put a claim to Moneybookers?
My thought on paying the lawyer upfront is some sort of consultation fee that pays for his initial time to investigate or research the case plus the time he spends to communicate with the client which is us,then after we are fully informed and go ahead with the claim the lawyer can get paid ,even that maybe done in stages.I certainly wouldn't pay anyone upfront,specially when they haven't done a days work yet.

**SadZizou** · 07-18-10, 08:44 AM

The lawyer said said he did some research, and he knows that the company is Costarican for sure (he gave me the date of the company creation, year 2008). So he said that even if there are no laws about online fraud, it's a fraud anyway, and if there's a way to decide who has been scammed, and how much, Costarican law will punish who made the fraud.
To me the point is that, even if the lawyer is ok, and I think he is, it will be very hard to follow the trials, someone will have to go few times in CR. And above all, we don't know where is the money at the moment. I don't think it's another scam, but I think that the trial has a little chanche of success. Or may be I'm just sad of this thing. I made my mistakes, I lost a lot lot lot of money and I payed for my superficiality. Now I would prefer to forget avoiding other troubles. Lesson learned. Tell me what you think guys.

Best

**lukahh** · 07-18-10, 05:51 PM

you are correct. CR lawyer is not a scam, but it's very little chance of success. i have some experience with legal matter in 3rd world countries (luckily overseeing other ppl interest rather than mine) and from what i've seen, lawyers talk a lot about options to pursue case, but deliver on very little. lawyers in 3rd world aren't cheap, but upfront fee of 12k$ is by far excessive.

it seems someone has reported in this thread that moneybookers froze bestake account funds. i'd suggest you guys to concentrate on UK legal action. in CR, you may win costly legal case, but will never collect a dime from it. Do you think the owner has cash waiting in CR bank?! however if you win legal case in UK, moneybookers will give you the money.

as i wrote a few days ago, do the UK necessary steps, and request mb to guide you through the process. this case is not beneficial for mb, and try to pursue that. it can bring them bad publicity.

perhaps you guys can request SBR to help you administer the case with the UK lawyer? SBR adds organizational "fleur" and trust to the matter. each interested person would give SBR 500$ or so to use for UK lawyer (or formula of 100$ + 1.5% of defrauded funds).
SBR could get good publicity for helping you pursue the case. ask this site owners if they are willing to do it. in such case, it may be worth to invest in legal action. the first successful legal case will clear from frozen bestake mb funds.

----

my prognosis is however not good. only the person who will pursue the case first in UK, may have a chance to retrieve cash on first come-first served basis.

good luck.

**Hareeba!** · 07-18-10, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by lukahh

you are correct. CR lawyer is not a scam, but it's very little chance of success. i have some experience with legal matter in 3rd world countries (luckily overseeing other ppl interest rather than mine) and from what i've seen, lawyers talk a lot about options to pursue case, but deliver on very little. lawyers in 3rd world aren't cheap, but upfront fee of 12k$ is by far excessive.

it seems someone has reported in this thread that moneybookers froze bestake account funds. i'd suggest you guys to concentrate on UK legal action. in CR, you may win costly legal case, but will never collect a dime from it. Do you think the owner has cash waiting in CR bank?! however if you win legal case in UK, moneybookers will give you the money.

as i wrote a few days ago, do the UK necessary steps, and request mb to guide you through the process. this case is not beneficial for mb, and try to pursue that. it can bring them bad publicity.

perhaps you guys can request SBR to help you administer the case with the UK lawyer? SBR adds organizational "fleur" and trust to the matter. each interested person would give SBR 500$ or so to use for UK lawyer (or formula of 100$ + 1.5% of defrauded funds).
SBR could get good publicity for helping you pursue the case. ask this site owners if they are willing to do it. in such case, it may be worth to invest in legal action. the first successful legal case will clear from frozen bestake mb funds.

----

my prognosis is however not good. only the person who will pursue the case first in UK, may have a chance to retrieve cash on first come-first served basis.

good luck.

how do you even know how much of Bestake's funds Moneybookers is holding?
every chance it's nowhere near enough to satisfy more than a minute fraction of claims and would more than likely be eaten up by costs.