[SCAM] Sportsbet.io seized my profits

[saturent]

FLAG CREATED:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=trust;flag=2203

WHAT HAPPENED:

Last July 27th (Monday), Sportsbet.io froze my account by the time I attempted to withdraw, and after sending them several emails and having waited for several hours, I was asked to send some documents for KYC.

I sent the requested documents immediately, I even sent extra documents that they did not request (like a selfie of myself holding my passport and a paper with my username written on it), just to make sure they could not have the excuse to say that I had failed the KYC and could not return my funds (I was already reading complains on this forum).

Then, on July 28th, I was requested to undergo a Veriff KYC process, which I did and was stated on the App to be successful. But yet, they did not unlock my funds as I had expected, and on July 29th, I received another email on which I was accused of multiaccounting. My reply to those accusations were simple, I denied having created other accounts as I only created and used an account since the moment I started playing on their site.

On the following day, July 30th, I was given several usernames and I was asked if these sounded familiar, however, I firmly defended myself because I had zero involvements with those accounts. I was not given proper evidence justifying their accusations, not even adequate communication.

After that, I did not receive more emails from them. My funds were locked on their site and I was not receiving proper assistance/communication from their part.

Finally, yesterday (4 days since their last reply) I received an email from them.

First, they said that my KYC was unsuccessful because I broke their T&C, which it is absolutely false, because as I said numerous times, I was not multiaccounting. I even provided additional, clear and more specific, documents, to make it easier for them to properly verify me (also suggesting to sign the wallet I used to make the deposits). How could they say that my KYC was not successful? That's unexcusable to say I failed KYC after having sent that many documents, and always, of course, zero evidences, justifications or clarifications.

And second, I was offered the refund of my deposit (0.4279btc), only. They were not going to refund the whole account balance I had at the time they froze it (0.448 btc). The difference is really small, I had small profits (21 mBTC) but it does not matter, I won those funds legitimally and so they belong to me. If I had lost my deposit, nothing would have been returned, therefore, it is not fair from them to make excuses as to randomly froze accounts, for suspicions of "multiaccounting", taking more than a week to give solutions and then, confiscate funds. As I have already mentioned, I was not even given proof, all I received were automated messages.

I have seen the exact same emails on several other complains with only usernames and amounts edited, which provides enough evidence as to determine these are automated messages (for example, https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5263445.0 or https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5266016.0 among dozens of other reports).

Today, they sent the deposit back to me, but they did not reply to any of my emails asking for explanations and for the refund of all the funds I had in my account. Actually, they have been ignoring me since the first day, and I was even blocked from the Live Chat Support after asking them to transfer me to another agent after seeing their non-stop of sending me automated messages.

This week has been a horrible experience, stress and anxiety followed by sleepless nights, waiting for a solution to put an end on this issue, as I was feeling my funds were being stolen. But yet, they ignored all my emails as neither I have received any specific answer (only automated messages that can be found on several other complains throughout the internet), nor a single clarification.

I have never received proper communication, which I deserve as a costumer.

Those profits belong to me, I did nothing wrong as to obtain them and I did not break any of their T&C, so I want to recover my whole balance. Even if it was only a cent, it would still be FULLY legitimate funds, therefore still belonging to me and demandable.

I did nothing wrong and this whole week has been a nightmare, experience which I do not deserve at all and I can not forgive.

What have brought me the biggest concern is to seeing SO MANY cases against this site, mostly on bitcointalk.org, I could have never imagined that I was giving my trust on a site with such complains.

SCAMMERS PROFILE LINK:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=832366

LINKS FOR REFERENCE:
 

• my report:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5266626.0

• several other reports:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5263445.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5266016.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5189479.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2482179.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2461108.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5180294.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1863248.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5130400.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4516396.0

AMOUNT REFUNDED: 427 mBTC

AMOUNT SCAMMED: 21 mBTC (~200€)

PAYMENT METHOD: BITCOIN

PROOF OF PAYMENT:

https://www.blockchain.com/btc/tx/ca0bc25255ab15a24f63d33a9a55884cc099ecc473d1983639f2a0c6ae18b46f
https://www.blockchain.com/btc/tx/c244a0878d0afb74c56033edf0dc6b3e9487db7fd971c612c94c083c8b511ce3

https://imgur.com/a/YrQmBDK

PM/CHAT LOGS:

• emails:

https://imgur.com/a/SzBki8r
https://imgur.com/a/9U2Modd
https://imgur.com/a/fIdcITc
https://imgur.com/a/6t64yqs
https://imgur.com/a/A3kO83Z

• chat on which I was blocked:

https://imgur.com/a/IXQVPJb
https://imgur.com/a/opfDJb3
https://imgur.com/a/NUZdnsx
https://imgur.com/a/ft2IfAX
https://imgur.com/a/tsrPe6S
https://imgur.com/a/DVfCciy


Neither I was too repetitive nor I used abusive language, I just wanted to confirm whether that specific department worked on weekends and if there was any update on my case (on the previous chat I was told that there could be an update after 48h).
 
This kind of costumer care is totally unacceptable. I believe the agent blocked me as to avoid any negative feedback from my part once the chat was closed, as the first couple of days I had had other chats on which I was really concerned and stressed, but then I was never blocked.

BETS:

https://imgur.com/a/5QuHTkC
https://imgur.com/a/RGL7FLR
https://imgur.com/a/SA3GrsG
https://imgur.com/a/YT5qhOs
https://imgur.com/a/imnNX7z
https://imgur.com/a/wzssreN
https://imgur.com/a/WZ9p5nD
https://imgur.com/a/BifNir0
https://imgur.com/a/P5MSZQa
https://imgur.com/a/bb3jzvJ
https://imgur.com/a/T0LNO8X
https://imgur.com/a/9ef5BUr
https://imgur.com/a/1eEAvYW
https://imgur.com/a/eUcvjmK
https://imgur.com/a/mV9hnsB

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Only by typing ''sportsbet.io scam'' on google, you find dozens of complains, and many of them having a case similar to mine.
The many people reporting them is not coincidence, it is evidence speaking by itself.
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=1HgpX5DLCKGwmAW_pLXQDA&q=sportsbet.io+scam&oq=sportsbet.io+scam&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzoCCAA6BAgAEAo6BggAEBYQHlAiWPETYKYXaABwAHgBgAGMAYgBzQmSAQM3LjWYAQCgAQGqAQdnd3Mtd2l6&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwiQhcz_6IHrAhUhGKYKHT9SDcoQ4dUDCAY&uact=5

[1715081918]

1715081918

[1715081918]

1715081918

[AB de Royse777]

WHAT HAPPENED:

Last July 27th (Monday), Sportsbet.io froze my account by the time I attempted to withdraw, and after sending them several emails and having waited for several hours, I was asked to send some documents for KYC.

I sent the requested documents immediately, I even sent extra documents that they did not request (like a selfie of myself holding my passport and a paper with my username written on it), just to make sure they could not have the excuse to say that I had failed the KYC and could not return my funds (I was already reading complains on this forum).

Then, on July 28th, I was requested to undergo a Veriff KYC process, which I did and was stated on the App to be successful. But yet, they did not unlock my funds as I had expected, and on July 29th, I received another email on which I was accused of multiaccounting. My reply to those accusations were simple, I denied having created other accounts as I only created and used an account since the moment I started playing on their site.

On the following day, July 30th, I was given several usernames and I was asked if these sounded familiar, however, I firmly defended myself because I had zero involvements with those accounts. I was not given proper evidence justifying their accusations, not even adequate communication.

After that, I did not receive more emails from them. My funds were locked on their site and I was not receiving proper assistance/communication from their part.

Finally, yesterday (4 days since their last reply) I received an email from them.

First, they said that my KYC was unsuccessful because I broke their T&C, which it is absolutely false, because as I said numerous times, I was not multiaccounting. I even provided additional, clear and more specific, documents, to make it easier for them to properly verify me (also suggesting to sign the wallet I used to make the deposits). How could they say that my KYC was not successful? That's unexcusable to say I failed KYC after having sent that many documents, and always, of course, zero evidences, justifications or clarifications.

And second, I was offered the refund of my deposit (0.4279btc), only. They were not going to refund the whole account balance I had at the time they froze it (0.448 btc). The difference is really small, I had small profits (21 mBTC) but it does not matter, I won those funds legitimally and so they belong to me. If I had lost my deposit, nothing would have been returned, therefore, it is not fair from them to make excuses as to randomly froze accounts, for suspicions of "multiaccounting", taking more than a week to give solutions and then, confiscate funds. As I have already mentioned, I was not even given proof, all I received were automated messages.

I have seen the exact same emails on several other complains with only usernames and amounts edited, which provides enough evidence as to determine these are automated messages (for example, https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5263445.0 or https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5266016.0 among dozens of other reports).

Today, they sent the deposit back to me, but they did not reply to any of my emails asking for explanations and for the refund of all the funds I had in my account. Actually, they have been ignoring me since the first day, and I was even blocked from the Live Chat Support after asking them to transfer me to another agent after seeing their non-stop of sending me automated messages.

This week has been a horrible experience, stress and anxiety followed by sleepless nights, waiting for a solution to put an end on this issue, as I was feeling my funds were being stolen. But yet, they ignored all my emails as neither I have received any specific answer (only automated messages that can be found on several other complains throughout the internet), nor a single clarification.

I have never received proper communication, which I deserve as a costumer.

Those profits belong to me, I did nothing wrong as to obtain them and I did not break any of their T&C, so I want to recover my whole balance. Even if it was only a cent, it would still be FULLY legitimate funds, therefore still belonging to me and demandable.

I did nothing wrong and this whole week has been a nightmare, experience which I do not deserve at all and I can not forgive.

What have brought me the biggest concern is to seeing SO MANY cases against this site, mostly on bitcointalk.org, I could have never imagined that I was giving my trust on a site with such complains.

SCAMMERS PROFILE LINK:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=832366

LINKS FOR REFERENCE:

 

• my report:

• several other reports:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5263445.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5266016.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5189479.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2482179.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2461108.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5180294.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1863248.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5130400.0
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4516396.0

AMOUNT REFUNDED: 427 mBTC

AMOUNT SCAMMED: 21 mBTC (~200€)

PAYMENT METHOD: BITCOIN

PROOF OF PAYMENT:

https://www.blockchain.com/btc/tx/ca0bc25255ab15a24f63d33a9a55884cc099ecc473d1983639f2a0c6ae18b46f
https://www.blockchain.com/btc/tx/c244a0878d0afb74c56033edf0dc6b3e9487db7fd971c612c94c083c8b511ce3

https://imgur.com/a/YrQmBDK

PM/CHAT LOGS:

• emails:

https://imgur.com/a/SzBki8r
https://imgur.com/a/9U2Modd
https://imgur.com/a/fIdcITc
https://imgur.com/a/6t64yqs
https://imgur.com/a/A3kO83Z

• chat on which I was blocked

https://imgur.com/a/IXQVPJb
https://imgur.com/a/opfDJb3
https://imgur.com/a/NUZdnsx
https://imgur.com/a/ft2IfAX
https://imgur.com/a/tsrPe6S
https://imgur.com/a/DVfCciy


Neither I was too repetitive nor I used abusive language, I just wanted to confirm whether that specific department worked on weekends and if there was any update on my case (on the previous chat I was told that there could be an update after 48h).
 
This kind of costumer care is totally unacceptable. I believe the agent blocked me as to avoid any negative feedback from my part once the chat was closed, as the first couple of days I had had other chats on which I was really concerned and stressed, but then I was never blocked.

BETS:

https://imgur.com/a/5QuHTkC
https://imgur.com/a/RGL7FLR
https://imgur.com/a/SA3GrsG
https://imgur.com/a/YT5qhOs
https://imgur.com/a/imnNX7z
https://imgur.com/a/wzssreN
https://imgur.com/a/WZ9p5nD
https://imgur.com/a/BifNir0
https://imgur.com/a/P5MSZQa
https://imgur.com/a/bb3jzvJ
https://imgur.com/a/T0LNO8X
https://imgur.com/a/9ef5BUr
https://imgur.com/a/1eEAvYW
https://imgur.com/a/eUcvjmK
https://imgur.com/a/mV9hnsB

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Only by typing ''sportsbet.io scam'' on google, you find dozens of complains, and many of them having a case similar to mine.
The many people reporting them is not coincidence, it is evidence speaking by itself.
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=1HgpX5DLCKGwmAW_pLXQDA&q=sportsbet.io+scam&oq=sportsbet.io+scam&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzoCCAA6BAgAEAo6BggAEBYQHlAiWPETYKYXaABwAHgBgAGMAYgBzQmSAQM3LjWYAQCgAQGqAQdnd3Mtd2l6&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwiQhcz_6IHrAhUhGKYKHT9SDcoQ4dUDCAY&uact=5

Quoted for reference.
I have not looked at the details yet. From last few days I am trying to ignore all these accusations against sportsbet.io. I really hate this but too many of it are just not ignorable too.

Steve (sportsbet.io), please look at the cases' buddy.

[actmyname]

Watching this thread.

Having gone over the images, there is a striking similarity to other recent cases. Opening up a precedent of "In ToS = OK!" is going to be bad.

[suchmoon]

imgur hates Tor so all I get is a bunch of giraffes instead of screenshots.

[actmyname]

imgur hates Tor so all I get is a bunch of giraffes instead of screenshots.

You must be looking at the graphs all wrong.Emails:








The chat messages are unnecessary to include.

[marlboroza]

^
screenshot #2: SB asked player if they have more accounts (seems they are not sure)
screenshot #3: according to SB, player said they don't have more accounts, SB asked player about connection to some accounts (again it sounds like they are not sure), and all of sudden:
screenshot #4: player fail verification process because of...something in ToS.

@sportsbet, why did player fail verification process?

[efialtis]

^
screenshot #2: SB ask player if they have more accounts (seems they are not sure)
screenshot #3: according to SB, player said they don't have more accounts, SB asked player about connection to some accounts (again it sounds like they are not sure), and all of sudden:
screenshot #4: player fail verification process because of...something in ToS.

@sportsbet, why did player fail verification process?

This is so funny:

SB: Please go through KYC in order to verify your identity
Player: Done
SB: Verification failed because you broke ToS

Absolutely ridiculous - that standard response alone they have in place is a joke - how could a verification fail due to breaking ToS, lol - this is like talking about two completely different things.

Nb. I got quiet all these days because the last drama seriously became unreal but I feel we will soon have to start over again from scratch...

[JollyGood]

This is a valid question. Why did the user fail verification especially at that late stage after the questions and answers?

It is becoming clear the cases of allegations against Sportsbet are increasing and their ToS is being used as the reason or pretence (depending on how you see it) to confiscate user funds.

Sportsbet really need to sort this and the other allegations against them as this is ruining their reputation and is one day going to call in to question the moral compass of all those displaying Sportsbet avatars and signatures.

^
screenshot #2: SB asked player if they have more accounts (seems they are not sure)
screenshot #3: according to SB, player said they don't have more accounts, SB asked player about connection to some accounts (again it sounds like they are not sure), and all of sudden:
screenshot #4: player fail verification process because of...something in ToS.

@sportsbet, why did player fail verification process?

[marlboroza]

This is so funny:

SB: Please go through KYC in order to verify your identity
Player: Done
SB: Verification failed because you broke ToS

Absolutely ridiculous - that standard response alone they have in place is a joke - how could a verification fail due to breaking ToS, lol - this is like talking about two completely different things.

Heey, I have seen this email couple of times already. Never mind, imagine this:

SB: "Your account verification was successful but you broke one of rules from our ToS
Player: "Which one?"
SB: "It is one from 1 - 7 but very likely you breached rule #6 (...if we determine that you are breaching any term of these terms and conditions...)"

Of course, rule #6 covers whole ToS.

[mindrust]

tldr;

"We can deicde to lock your account if we don't like you."

And I thought crypto casinos would be somehow different than the FIAT casinos.

[AB de Royse777]

"We can deicde to lock your account if we don't like you."

And I thought crypto casinos would be somehow different than the FIAT casinos.

The only way to prevent multi-accounting is to do KYC.

- Suspicious?
Do KYC and let them go with the money they have including the winning if any. Lock the account.

- Suspicious?
DO KYC.
- KYC match with the other account?
Let them go without giving back any money. Lock the account.

Does this sound fair for both party?

Even if it's a crypto bookies, you still need KYC to identify a person.

[JollyGood]

How do you see Sportsbet addressing this one? It is not looking good for them right now with this increase of complaints.

Heey, I have seen this email couple of times already. Never mind, imagine this:

SB: "Your account verification was successful but you broke one of rules from our ToS
Player: "Which one?"
SB: "It is one from 1 - 7 but very likely you breached rule #6 (...if we determine that you are breaching any term of these terms and conditions...)"

Of course, rule #6 covers whole ToS.

[actmyname]

Even if it's a crypto bookies, you still need KYC to identify a person.

Any time a casino asks for KYC, there should be a reason for it.

If they determined that the user was multi-accounting without the information from the KYC, there was no point in requesting it and thus they are merely using the balance as a hostage for the gambler to relinquish their dox. If, however, they determined that the user was multi-accounting with the information from the KYC, then they should explicitly state this.

But if you ask for KYC and then say, "you're multi-accounting," without any indication of why... then you're just getting KYC from desperate gamblers for free, and that is completely dishonest.

[mindrust]

Maybe sportsbet.io is under some government pressure since they have some big sponsorships and everybody has their eyes on them so they are trying to eliminate any kind of risk whenever possible. Just a possibility and a shitty one...

[AB de Royse777]

Nb. I got quiet all these days because the last drama seriously became unreal but I feel we will soon have to start over again from scratch...

It's exhausting, boring, unpleasant experience.

Any time a casino asks for KYC, there should be a reason for it.

If they determined that the user was multi-accounting without the information from the KYC, there was no point in requesting it and thus they are merely using the balance as a hostage for the gambler to relinquish their dox. If, however, they determined that the user was multi-accounting with the information from the KYC, then they should explicitly state this.

But if you ask for KYC and then say, "you're multi-accounting," without any indication of why... then you're just getting KYC from desperate gamblers for free, and that is completely dishonest.

KYC is expensive that's what I learnt.
To save some money a casino can KYC a user when they find it suspicious. Have the KYC and let them play as long as the casino can afford.

[Stedsm]

--snip--
Does this sound fair for both party?

At least not from the gambling website's end, because if KYC documents have been provided, they need not to harass their customers like this. I'm personally a fan (yes I'm still am) of sportsbet.io but the number of complains being raised on a daily basis have rung alarms in my heart for them.

Even if it's a crypto bookies, you still need KYC to identify a person.

That's absolutely true that KYC can be asked from any entity when and whether they see it to be fit. But even after going through Veriff, an automated verifying service, what makes them not to give the result in OP's favor?  

And for the multi-accounting part, I have got a question here.
Let's take an example of a soccer game, and I have only one account. The odds are -
Team A - 2.xx
Draw - 4.xx
Team B - 2.xx

Now, if I'm so sure that my team (Team A) will win for sure, I'll place a bet on them immediately at 2+ odds. Now, if I believe that the game could change any moment and Team B may take over the match, I'll place a bet on Team B even when their odds are higher than 3 (loss-cutting strategy - hedging). Either team wins, I'll definitely gain something and if draw takes place, that's where I lose everything. So, what's the need of multi-accounting here? To place a bet on draw? 

[AB de Royse777]

At least not from the gambling website's end, because if KYC documents have been provided, they need not to harass their customers like this. I'm personally a fan (yes I'm still am) of sportsbet.io but the number of complains being raised on a daily basis have rung alarms in my heart for them.

Asking for KYC is not harassment. Harassment is when you ask for KYC then bring up the ToS, accuse that it's multi-account, do not show any proof of multi-accounting from the KYC reference, then you lock the account, then a user is going through all this public forum things and is taking heat (scammers etc) just because it's a newbie account.

That's harassment.

[Stedsm]

Asking for KYC is not harassment. Harassment is when you ask for KYC then bring up the ToS, accuse that it's multi-account, do not show any proof of multi-accounting from the KYC reference, then you lock the account, then a user is going through all this public forum things and is taking heat (scammers etc) just because it's a newbie account.

That's harassment.

You took my words wrong way, brother.
What you said is what I meant, please re-read what I said. I said that if KYC documents have been provided, then what's the need at the casino's end to harass their customer by coming up with all such shit like multi-accounts, no proofs, nothing and just giving back their deposits without giving them their winnings? It feels like begging for our own money. Isn't that harassment?

[TalkStar]

But if you ask for KYC and then say, "you're multi-accounting," without any indication of why... then you're just getting KYC from desperate gamblers for free, and that is completely dishonest.

Most unexpected thing is that some gambling platforms are using the KYC for their own benefit and using it as a weapon. Everything goes well until anyone make a good win but after a big win they ask for KYC. Even after successful KYC submission they block account just by showing a common reason "Multi account".

My question is,  If your platform don't allow multi accounts then why didn't you detected the user before winning/placing the bet. So you guys have no issues if multi account user lose the bet but rules only activate when they win....Huh.

[actmyname]

So, what's the need of multi-accounting here? To place a bet on draw?  

Multi-accounting is relevant to Sportsbet.io as they have those "price boost" features for accounts. With multiple accounts, you could presumably take advantage of this on multiple occasions for a given market, which reduces their ev. Since casinos hate being cheated on their "bonuses" (utterly terrible ev) with multiple accounts, you could imagine why they have a problem with this as well.