Written by :
Published on :
A 64-year-old British Columbia man has been arrested outside of Toronto, Canada for his role in allegedly perpetrating an elaborate “poker scam”. Victims are believed to be spread across the country, mostly in Ontario and British Columbia.
Detective Sergeant John Mans of the Halton Regional police provided information on how the poker scam works to the Hamilton Spectator.
This is the typical scam – a businessman, including those in construction and insurance, is contacted and offered a meeting to discuss a business opportunity or investment. When the victim arrives at a hotel or office they walk in on a poker game often celebrating someone’s birthday or a luncheon. The game is “just finishing up” and the victim is invited to take someone’s place and play one hand.
The victim “miraculously wins,” and the supposedly thankful player who the victim stood in for is so grateful he shares half the winnings and invites the victim to play again, he said.
Then the victim looses and is coerced into signing a cheque typically for $5,000 to $10,000.
After leaving, the “business opportunity” falls flat and upon further digging the victim finds the offices are rented by the hour and the business names are false, Mans said.
“They realize it was a scam from the start,” he said.
The alleged perpetrator, Peter Andrew Kuti, is charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000 and will be appearing in court today.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
