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The 5Dimes office in the Edificio Equus, or simply Equus Building, of San Pedro, Costa Rica was under heavy guard Thursday. Sources close to Gambling911.com say it is like "something out of Black Ops".
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Prime Suspects
Police in Costa Rica continue to investigate the disappearance of 5Dimes owner Sean "Tony" Creighton. He was allegedly ambushed on September 25 by up to five armed men.
His current wife told authorities she paid $750K ransom via Bitcoin and have yet to hear back. Experts familiar with the 5Dimes operation were quick to suggest this to be a fraction of what 5Dimes would have on hand.
"Tony" was last seen September 25 in the area of San Isidro, Heredia and driving a Porsche Cayenne Turbo vehicle. That vehicle appears to have been located though authorities are yet to confirm if it belonged to Mr. Creighton.
Police do appear to be honing in on a primary suspect who is a key employee of 5Dimes, Gambling911 has learned. The company itself was the subject of a massive money laundering investigation two years ago, though it had not skipped a beat since that time.
Friends and Family in Shock
Meanwhile, back in Sean's home town of Bridgeport, West Virginia, High School friends have been reaching out to one another for comfort upon hearing the horrible news.
An only child, both of Sean's parents have since passed away but his dad remarried and that extended family loved Sean like their own.
"His family was a big name back home in Bridgeport," our source says. "After his parents divorced, Sean's dad married another woman and that side of the family is now sick."
The source added: "The whole town is wondering what is going on."
Sean's extended family is aware that two security experts from the US are working to try to locate the 5Dimes owner in Costa Rica but could not elaborate any further.
Sean Lived for 5Dimes
Creighton moved down to Costa Rica in 1998 along with two of his High School friends, including a woman he dated for many years who would later go on to become a Gambling911.com reporter.
Though she has not communicated with Sean since 2001, his former girlfriend tells G911 these past two days have been difficult.
"This truly makes me sad. That book was a shining example of what the industry should be. He ran a tight ship and was professional."
Sean was known for his abruptness with customers that many treated to those hostilities wore like a badge of honor.
And, for others, it was a necessity.
"There is a reason Sean came off like that," another source tells Gambling911.com. "That book was plagued by customers who were scammers and this is what got them in trouble a few years back."
One such scam involved an individual advertising the sale of concert tickets that he never possessed.
"He would have the buyer of the tickets send funds via Moneygram or Western Union to a receiver name that 5Dimes gave him for his deposit. Once he received the money, he would put in his 5Dimes account. Then the buyers would realize they've been scammed and contact 5Dimes. Authorities eventually traced this back to the sportsbook."
The source added: "I can't tell you how many times shit like that would happen, made worse because 5Dimes would let these same guys continue to play there."
The Future Looks Bleak
Those close to Sean tell Gambling911.com they fear the worse.
"His wife pays a ransom and no 'proof of life' call afterwards?" one person questioned.
5Dimes continues to operate and pay out customers but there are people who expressed disgust over a statement released to SportsBookReview.com late Wednesday night.
That statement read:
"Despite recent news, 5Dimes Group board of directors and its over 300 employees would like to reassure its clientele the fundamentals of 5Dimes Group operating model remain unchanged.
We continue striving to deliver the best gambling experience to our customers, always aiming to innovate in the industry with more and better betting options to choose from.
Our thoughts and prayers join the rest of the online gambling industry for Tony’s safe return to his family."
-5Dimes Management
An individual with close knowledge of the 5Dimes operation offered Gambling911.com this ominous prediction:
"It (5Dimes) will fail if he (Sean) doesn't come back. They hated him. They'll rob the place blind eventually, right down to the surge protectors. It's going to go down in a flaming pile of shit."
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
