Crime
‘Operation Gotham City’ Sports Betting Ring in South Florida Busted
Law enforcement authorities have busted a major illegal sports betting ring in South Florida dubbed “Operation Gotham City” following a year-long investigation.
12 people were charged Friday (December 6, 2013) in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Five of the twelve remained at large as of late Friday evening.
Adam Green, 52, has been identified as the ring leader of the sports betting operative.
Computer Hacker Steals Fantasy Game Items From RuneScape Customers
A computer hacker is accused of stealing virtual property from online fantasy gamers as a means of paying off real debt he had incurred.
Steven Burrell, 21, spent 16 months hacking into player profiles on the fantasy site RuneScape.com. Some 200 million players use the RuneScape website.
Because the items in question existed in a “medieval fantasy world”, Burrell has not been charged with theft. Instead, the 21-year-old has been charged with hacking.
Two England Footballers Charged as Part of Match-Fixing Probe
(Reuters) - Two players from an English sixth tier semi-professional team have become the latest to be charged as part of an investigation into soccer match-fixing, British police said on Thursday.
Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, both 22 and from Whitehawk FC in Brighton, were charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law and have been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court next Wednesday.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Online Gambling Business
A Florida man entered a guilty plea in connection to his involvement in an illegal online gambling business based in Stanford, Connecticut.
Craig Caffro, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of operating an illegal gambling business.
Caffro was one of 20 individuals arrested for their role in running the now shuttered online gambling site 44Wager.com. All but one of these individuals have agreed to forfeit money and property
Mobster was Left to be Eaten Alive by Ravenous Pigs
Reputed mobster Francesco Raccosta was beaten with iron bars by members of the Ndrangheta crime family in the Calabria region of Southern Italy.
They then tossed him inside a pig sty where he was left to be eaten alive by the hungry hogs.
The murder was allegedly carried out by mob boss Simone Pepe, 24, who has since confessed to the murder of Raccosta and three other men.
“It was so satisfying hearing him scream. Mamma Mia, he could scream!” Pepe is heard shouting on recorded wiretaps. “I didn’t see a f–king thing left.
12 Ninja Malware Contains PokerGrabber Module Targeting Poker Players
There is a growing fear in the poker community of a new malware being used to hijack information from unsuspecting poker players.
It’s called “12 Ninja” and features a “PokerGrabber” module that targets major online poker sites and, ultimately, the poker players themselves.
Son of Oklahoma City Bookie Teddy Mitchell Sentenced to Six Months in Prison
OKLAHOMA CITY — (Associated Press) - A former bookie was sentenced Monday to six months in federal prison after pleading guilty to two felony counts.
Ex-Wis. Payroll Worker Accused in $1M Embezzlement
A former payroll specialist at Wheaton Franciscan Services is accused of embezzling more than $1 million to support her gambling, according to a complaint released Monday.
Janice Nieman, 49, of Milwaukee is charged with four felonies _ three counts of theft over $10,000 and one count of identity theft for a scheme that dates back to 2004.
According to the complaint, Nieman admitted to the theft and told Glendale police she used much of the money to play the slots at Potawatomi Bingo Casino.
Poker Pro Escapes Two Robbery Attempts Just Minutes Apart
New York City police were investigating two attempted robberies of a poker pro who was in possession of $100,000 in cash while attempting to fly out of New York’s JFK Airport.
Anna Benson Talks to Dr. Phil Following Home Invasion Guilty Plea (Video)
Poker babe and one-time model, Anna Benson, appeared on the “Dr. Phil Show” last week to discuss her brazen home invasion of ex-hubby Kris Benson’s residence. Kris, a former Major League Baseball player, called 911 at the time telling the dispatcher that his enraged wire brandished a gun and baton. He hid out in the basement until police arrived.
Anna Benson has since plead guilty. In her words, Anna claimed to Dr. Phil she was anticipating having sex with Kris. That apparently wasn’t his intentions.
Two People Charged in Football Match Fixing Scheme
Two individuals have been charged over alleged match-fixing in English football, the National Crime Agency (NCA) told the BBC on Friday.
Singapore national Chann Sankaran, 33, and Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan, 43, were charged with conspiracy to defraud.
They were among six people held earlier this week, and a seventh person has now been arrested.
Telegraph Exclusive: Footballers Arrested in Biggest English Match Fixing Case
Members of an alleged betting syndicate have been arrested on suspicion of fixing English football games in the biggest match-rigging scandal for decades, The Telegraph newspaper reportedly exclusively heading into the early morning hours of Thursday.
Michael Chopra Witness in Drug Trial Related to Gambling Debts
Former Newcastle and Sunderland footballer, Michael Chopra, is set to be called to the witness stand during a 750,000 cocaine trial involving an alleged “drugs factory” on Wearside, England.
Police officers in 2010 discovered £50,000 in cash hidden in a Jaguar they claimed was drug money. That money, according to authorities, actually belonged to Chopra, who had mounting debts and turned to loan sharks in order to pay them off.
Manny Pacquiao Bank Account Froze By Philippines Government Following Bodog Raid
The authorities in the Philippines are not just targeting online gambling firm Bodog.com and its colourful found Calvin Ayre in recent days it seems. They also have their eyes set on another high profile figure, fighter and Congressman Manny Pacquiao. All of this in the wake of a massive typhoon wiping out entire towns and killing several thousand.
Bodog Raid Before and After: Typhoon Yolanda Relief Supplies Gone
Much controversy arose late Tuesday following news released by Gambling911.com that law enforcement allegedly confiscated relief supplies for victims of Typhoon Yolanda during a 5-hour raid of online gambling firm Bodog’s Manila, Philippines office last week.
Photos obtained exclusively by Gambling911.com show the Bodog office before it was raided, then the ransacked office immediately following the raid.
‘Ray Donovan’ Producer Sentenced for Role in Russian Mob Gambling Operative
The former producer of Showtime’s popular “Ray Donovan” cable television series, Bryan Zuriff, has escaped prison time for his role in a Russian Mob-run illegal gambling ring.
Colombo Crime Boss Attempts $164 Home Depot Heist: Arrested
Angelo “Little Angelo” Spata has been charged with shoplifting $164 worth of lighting equipment from a Brooklyn, New York Home Depot.
Spata is the son-in-law of Colombo crime boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico.
A police report indicates that the alleged heist occurred November 8 whereby Spata attempted to exit the store with a dimmer switch and LED recessed lights without paying.
“How pathetic!” a law enforcement source told the New York Daily News.
The maximum prison sentence for this misdemeanor is one year in prison.
Poker Babe Anna Benson to be on ‘Dr. Phil’: Attacked Ex With Gun, Baton
Set your VCRs, DVRs or just plain stay home Wednesday afternoon (November 27, 2013) as the one and only Anna Benson is slated to appear on “Dr. Phil”.
You might recall this poker babe plead guilty to attacking her ex-husband, former Major League Baseball player Kris Benson, during a brazen home invasion.
Here is a quick recap of what transpired that evening:
Deja Woo: Gambling911.com and Bodog Raids, Perfect Together (Video)
One would think that the Philippines government would have more important things to do than conduct a nonsensical raid on Bodog’s offices Thursday evening. After all, that island nation was just hit with the worst typhoon ever recorded and the devastation is something few of us can grasp, not to mention that Bodog’s Founder, Calvin Ayre, just pledged $1 million to Typhoon Yolanda relief efforts.
Chavit Singson Gang Allegedly Orchestrates Raid on Bodog in Manila – G911 World Exclusive
Gambling911.com sources in the Philippines have confirmed that offices of Bodog in Manila have been raided and those within the company are pointing the finger at former Philippines "Gangster Governor" Chavit Singson as the mastermind behind this action.
Moooonlighting Mobster-Cattle Rancher Convicted in Racketeering Trial
(Associated Press) - A former mob associate who spent over a decade posing as a cattle rancher in Idaho has been convicted of federal charges including the attempted murder of a man who became the boss of the New England Mafia.
Enrico Ponzo was convicted Wednesday after a month long racketeering trial.
Robert De Niro's Failed Audition as Sonny Corleone in 'The Godfather' Surfaces (Video)
Robert De Niro didn’t get the part of Sonny Corleone in the classic 1972 film “The Godfather”.
A failed audition tape surfaced this week, which showed De Niro, in his late 20’s, is seen spinning around in front of the cameras wearing a black trilby hat and a buttoned-up grey shirt. While the performance may have been good, it wasn't enough to make the cut.
De Niro would go on to win the part in "The Godfather"'s second installment, a role that would ultimately lead to an Academy Award.
Philly Mobster Asks Why He Should Go to Prison for Something PA Will Soon Make Legal
With the announcement that the state of Pennsylvania is pushing to legalize gambling in bars, Philly Mobster George Borgesi questioned why he should be going to prison for essentially engaging in the same type of business model.
"So what are we doing here?" he asked a reporter Tuesday during a break from his retrial on racketeering conspiracy charges.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Mobster Frank ‘Bobo’ Marrapese Sentenced to 9 Years for Role in Sports Betting Ring
PROVIDENCE – (Associated Press) - A reputed New England mobster was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty on Monday in connection with an illegal sports betting ring.
Frank "Bobo" Marrapese, 70, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge William E. Carnes Jr. to five counts of extortion conspiracy and one count each of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit criminal usury.
Purple Gang Mobster Shot Dead in Bronx: Brother Killed Up to 70 People
A violent thug involved in the Harlem and Bronx trade during the 70’s and 80’s was found shot execution-style in his head late Friday night.
Professional Poker Player Vadim Trincher Facing Up to 27 Months in Prison
A professional poker player has confessed to his role in running an illegal sports betting operation that catered to wealthy gamblers in the United States, Russia and the Ukraine.
Elusive Boston Crime Boss Whitey Bulger Sentenced to Life Behind Bars
BOSTON — (Associated Press) - Former Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger was led off to prison Thursday to begin serving a life sentence at 84 for his murderous reign in the 1970s and ‘80s, accepting his punishment in stone-faced silence even as a judge castigated him for his “almost unfathomable” depravity.
Bulger’s sentencing brought to a close a sordid case that exposed FBI complicity in his crimes and left a trail of devastated families whose loved ones — fathers, uncles, brothers and sisters — were killed by Bulger or his henchmen.
Helly Nahmad Admits to ‘Crossing Line’ in Russian Mob Run Sports Betting Ring
New York City art gallery owner Helly Nahmad, as reported earlier in the week, has plead guilty to a single count of gambling in Federal court and will have to fork up $6.4 million in restitution. That won’t be very difficult as his family is worth approximately $3 billion.
Syracuse FSU Betting Line -38 Despite QB Jameis Winston Sexual Assault Allegations
The Syracuse FSU betting line was hanging in there at Seminoles -38 but we could see this number come down with news that the Noles quarterback Jameis Winston is being investigated for an alleged sexual assault that reportedly occurred last year. We witnessed how negative publicity surrounding the Miami Dolphins affected their game Monday night (albeit they were also missing two of their key players).
Armed Bandits Hold of Bookie Shop With Roll of Wall Paper
A terrified bookmaker shop manager handed over £2000 to what he thought were two armed gunmen. Instead, it turns out the bandits held up the shop, not with a gun, but with a roll of wallpaper. That wallpaper was concealed in a bag and made to look like a gun.
