The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) has issued a warning that an illegal gambling operation falsely claiming GGCC affiliation is targeting victims in the Philippines.
According to the Commission, California Scratch Card, as the operation calls itself, illegally uses the CGCC’s name and logo on its marketing.
In a news release, the GCCC cited evidence pointing to the illegal operation being based near Manila in the Philippines and that, while it lists a US phone number, it targets Filipino players in their own language via social media platforms, “particularly Facebook.”
illusion of legitimacy”
According to SiGMA, one page features a livestream of a Filipino speaker “playing scratch cards, adding to the illusion of legitimacy.”
California Scratch Card also demands that winners pay an “Administrative Processing Fee” before they can collect their winnings.
The Commission’s Executive Director Lisa Wardell stated in a letter that the CGCC doesn’t and never has issued licenses to the offending firm, or “any other similar illegal gambling operations.”
Wardell also added that the CGCC does not charge admin processing fees, “or other such fees that these illegal gambling operations claim.”
The Commission’s head added that such operations “are often fronts for scams and thefts” while listing a litany of swindle tactics, including hanging onto deposits, not paying out on winnings, or demanding money up-front to release winnings which are, unfortunately for the victims, never paid out.
