California Regulator Flags Fake Gambling Commission Scheme
The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) issued a warning in mid-January that an illegal gambling operation called California Scratch Card is using the Commission’s name and logo to claim that winners must pay them an “Administrative Processing Fee” before they can collect their winnings.
California Scratch Card Targeting Citizens Of The Philippines
According to the CGCC, the illegal gambling operation appears to be based in the Philippines and is specifically targeting citizens of the Philippines.
The illegal gambling operation is primarily using Facebook to scam gamblers, and could be operating on other social media platforms.
Although the pages included a U.S. phone number, they also featured Filipino language descriptions and listed a location in Mandaluyong City, a major metropolitan area near Manila.
Both “Administrative Processing Fee” messages read:
“This notice is issued to explain administrative and regulatory fees associated with gaming, lottery, or promotional prize activities regulated by the State of California.
“Fees are imposing in accordance with California state law and are required prior to the release or settlement of gaming-related funds.”
CGCC Does Not Require Administrative Processing Fees
Next to “Amount Charged” in the first message shows 18,024 PHP (Philippine pesos). The second message has 20,897 PHP listed.
The Commission added in its news release that it “does not issue, nor has it ever issued, licenses to California Scratch Card or any other similar illegal gambling operations.”
In addition, the Commission does not require “Administrative Processing Fees” or other such fees that these illegal gambling operations claim.
The CGCC noted that it is currently pursuing all available options to address this matter.
“Illegal gambling operations such as these are often fronts for scams and thefts, as they can keep a player’s deposited funds, refuse to pay out winnings, or demand payment from the winner before releasing the winnings, and then not release the winnings at all,” a statement by the CGCC reads.
California residents with information are being urged to contact the Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control, at [email protected] or the Commission at [email protected].
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