Many things on the Internet are not what they seem. One buzzword that comes up again and again in this context is "fake": there are fake online stores of all categories, fake news about current events, fake emails from apparently well-known financial service providers and even fake profiles on social media that imitate gambling companies. The latter are apparently becoming more and more of a problem for the industry, but are also a real danger for players. JackpotPiraten and BingBong are currently issuing extensive reports warning of such machinations.

The digital world offers us all many advantages - quick access to information, convenient online shopping and endless entertainment options, available at any time. But where there is light, there are also shadows: Fraudsters see the opportunities of digitalization just as we do - only for their own dishonest purposes.

From supposed bargains in fake stores that are never delivered to deceptively genuine phishing emails that steal log-in details for PayPal accounts, the methods used by internet fraudsters are sophisticated and varied. Of course, it comes as no surprise that the crooks are also targeting games of chance: there is a lot of money at stake in this industry, which is known to magically attract criminals.

The licensed online casinos JackpotPiraten and BingBong, both brands of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Glücksspiel mbH (DGGS), are currently sounding the alarm: fraudsters copy logos, use the names of well-known institutions, such as credit card companies, and fake official apps, such as those of Spielbank Berlin, on social media to lure unsuspecting users to illegal platforms. Under the guise of big wins and "official" offers, they primarily target sensitive data and depositors with unlicensed operators. Particularly brazen: even the name of the Federal Government's Commissioner for Addiction and Drugs is misused in these scams. As recently as September, we reported on the increasing number of advertisements for fraudulent casino apps.

These scams are dangerous - not only financially, but also in terms of data security and personal protection. Last but not least, the trustworthiness of the German gambling market is being undermined. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to raise awareness of fake profiles. How do they work and how do you recognize illegal platforms behind them? This much already at this point: It is worth double-checking even seemingly trustworthy offers!

Deceptively real: advertising for Spielbank Berlin's fake online offer continues to cause confusion

Spielbank Berlin had already urged caution in the summer: In an official announcement, the traditional casino warned of fraudulent online profiles peddling its name and logo.

The problem still seems to exist. In any case, JackpotPiraten and BingBong show various accounts and banners in their reporting that experienced users may well recognize as dubious, but which look deceptively genuine to beginners or at a quick glance.

How the scam works:

  1. Fake casino apps: The fraudsters advertise on Facebook and elsewhere with phrases such as "Spielbank Berlin is officially online" and underlay this with supposedly reputable logos from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Clicking on the ad then leads to dubious download links. On the example page mentioned in the reports, a fake app is offered that looks professional at first glance. There are even reviews, which are of course mostly positive - some from unsuspecting users, some from bought fake comments. Particularly tempting: A welcome bonus of a whopping 2,000 euros is advertised.
  2. Misleading comparison sites: Another method described by JackpotPiraten and BingBong involves links to comparison portals or affiliate sites. As an example, a Facebook advertisement is mentioned that provides a link to a page that apparently contains links for licensed online casinos, but disguises its true orientation. There is a risk here that many users will be misled by the ad content, which refers to the Spielbank Berlin casino. The operator of this offer appears to be reputable, so it remains unclear whether he is actually behind the deceptive advertising or whether his portal is simply a cover.
  3. Lure offers with welcome bonuses: Many scammers specifically rely on enticing promises. 300 percent as a welcome bonus, several hundred free spins or a huge selection of games are intended to lure users to often unregulated platforms. With professionally designed banners and well-known logos, the crooks create the impression of an official presence.
  4. Sponsored fake advertising on Facebook: What is particularly annoying is that Facebook offers scammers a highly publicized stage with sponsored ads. The ads appear to be poorly controlled. The paid top placements actually make them appear all the more trustworthy and absolutely official to a large proportion of recipients. In contrast to the Facebook group Meta, Google has only been advertising for legal gambling providers on its network since September of this year.

Incidentally, Spielbank Berlin recently celebrated its 26th birthday with a big party.

From fake wins in legal casinos to politicians' names: Fraudsters stop at nothing

Spielbank Berlin is not the only one fighting against fraudsters who shamelessly exploit its good reputation. JackpotPiraten and BingBong, well-known providers in the legal German online gambling market, and many other companies in the industry are also affected. The criminals' methods are as varied as they are brazen - and sometimes even incredibly absurd.

How fraudsters infiltrate real social media channels

Particularly cheeky: the perpetrators often use the existing or genuine social media profiles of officially licensed operators - including JackpotPiraten and BingBong. Fake comments then appear under the original posts, for example in competitions or announcements, targeting users of the platforms:
  • "Congratulations! You've won! Click on the link to claim your prize!"
  • "Your win is waiting for you. Register now via this link!"

Anyone who falls for this is redirected to dubious sites and asked to enter personal data. A supposed win quickly turns into a tangible data theft.

Difficult to monitor: Although JackpotPiraten and BingBong emphasize that they regularly monitor their channels, users themselves must also remain vigilant. Social networks such as Facebook and Instagram can hardly stem the tide of fraudulent comments.

Criminals misuse the name of the federal government

But it gets even bolder: fraudsters do not even shy away from misusing the Federal Government's Commissioner for Addiction and Drugs, Burkhard Blienert, for their schemes. How does it work?
  1. A website claims to lead to the politician's official website.
  2. However, the link redirects users to a deceptively real-looking page that supposedly comes from a legal online casino.
  3. If you click on the "Register" button there, you end up directly at an illegal casino.

The trick: by using the name of a member of the government, the scammers naturally hope to gain the trust of users. The fact that this is not only illegal but also morally reprehensible does not bother them.

JackpotPiraten and BingBong provide helpful tips for quickly exposing fakes

Fraudulent casino advertisements or websites are often very professionally made and can hardly be distinguished from legitimate offers at first glance. However, JackpotPiraten and BingBong provide some really helpful tips that can help you to quickly identify them. Incidentally, there are also specific pointers for recognizing the increasingly frequent poker bots.

  • The Joint Gaming Authority of the federal states (GGL) publishes an official whitelist. If a provider is not on it, it is illegal - period.
  • Reputable providers have a complete legal notice, including on social media pages. Missing or incomplete information? Hands off!
  • Sites with licenses from Malta, Cyprus or Curaçao are not permitted in Germany. They do not meet the strict requirements of the GGL.
  • Legal online casinos use verified .de web addresses in Germany. Cryptic URLs? Red alert!
  • Deals such as "300% bonus" or "2,000 euros starting credit" are pure wishful thinking. Legal operators in Germany do not offer such sums.
  • There is currently no online platform for the capital city casino. Anyone who claims otherwise is deliberately misleading.
  • In Germany, payments via Bitcoin and other gambling providers are prohibited - a clear dividing line to illegal casinos.
  • Currently, online table games are only permitted in Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein. Anyone offering such services outside of these federal states does not have a German license.
  • Advertisements from profiles with few followers, hardly any content or suspiciously fresh accounts are strong indicators of fraud.

Also interesting in this context: Bavarian radio recently revealed Berlin connections to illegal online casinos - but the burden of proof is less clear than it seems.

Can the German authorities stop such casino fakes?

The fight against casino fakes and corresponding fake profiles is an enormous challenge - especially because the masterminds are often based abroad and operate internationally. It is true that the German authorities now have stricter means at their disposal: Websites can be blocked, payment flows interrupted and illegal providers prosecuted.

But in the digital space, where fraudsters are constantly using new means and seem to have almost limitless loopholes, such measures are like an endless game of cat and mouse. The chances of success? Mixed, but by no means hopeless. The pressure on criminals is growing, especially through cooperation with international partners and raising user awareness. Vigilance is the best protection - because you can't prevent everything, but you can expose it.

Source of the image: Screenshot from https://www.bingbong.de/wissen/casino-fakes-spielbank-berlin

Text sources: https: //www.jackpotpiraten.de/wissen/casino-fakes-spielbank-berlin, https://www.bingbong.de/wissen/casino-fakes-spielbank-berlin

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