In Hartford, state authorities have announced the arrest of five more individuals linked to a suspected fraud operation involving the sports betting app DraftKings.
Over the last year, authorities have apprehended at least seven residents from Danbury, two from Bethel, and one woman from Newtown in connection with what they describe as “potentially suspicious activity” related to the app. This information comes from a recent notice issued by the Connecticut Consumer Protection Department’s Gaming Division. The department emphasizes a warning to the public about a scheme targeting participants of gaming platforms, which claims to offer substantial financial returns but can instead lead to serious legal issues, including identity theft and larceny charges.
So far, a total of 15 arrests have been made under this investigation, with more arrests expected to follow. The modus operandi of this scam generally involves someone reaching out to victims via social media. They persuade the victim to create a DraftKings account, deposit a significant amount of money using stolen credit card info, and then instruct them to withdraw the funds, transfer these to their personal bank account, and send money to the scammer’s account via apps like Zelle.
According to DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli, if you are approached with a too-good-to-be-true ‘business opportunity,’ it’s likely a scam: “Participating in this operation counts as a crime. Instead of gaining a fortune, you’re more likely to land in handcuffs.”
The fraudulent activities linked to this group tally more than $190,000 caught between August 4 and September 15, 2024.
Skyler Corte-Real, a 26-year-old resident of Danbury, was one of the initial individuals charged. Records indicate that she deposited $11,850 into her DraftKings account before moving those funds to her private account.
DCP Gaming Director Kris Gilman cautioned, “This is a felony. Even though promoters of such scams often assure you that you won’t be caught, that’s far from reality. Both identity theft and computer crimes can be traced back. Remember—don’t get involved in this scheme. The compensation you think you’ll receive won’t come, and instead, you may face a pending felony warrant. Always fund your online gaming accounts from your own legitimate bank account, and never share your credentials!”
If anyone has questions or concerns about gambling activities, they can report them to the Consumer Protection Department at DCP.Gaming@ct.gov.
