by Connecticut – CT officials are alerting the public to a rapidly growing scam involving DraftKings accounts, a scheme that has already led to 15 arrests and could result in more as investigations continue.
How the Scam Works
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Gaming Division, scammers have been approaching victims both online and in person, offering what appears to be a quick-money opportunity. The setup typically unfolds as follows:
- Scammers ask individuals to open a DraftKings account and deposit money.
- They often provide a stolen credit card for the deposit.
- After a short gaming session on the platform, the victim is instructed to withdraw the winnings into their own bank account.
- The scammer then asks the victim to send a portion of the money back using payment apps like Zelle.
These payment accounts almost always belong to the scammer — allowing them to walk away with the cash while the victim unknowingly commits multiple crimes.
Victims Are Left Holding the Charges
Even though victims believe they are helping with a harmless transaction, authorities say they are actually participating in criminal activity. Those who take part could be charged with:
- Identity theft
- Computer crimes
- Larceny
Officials emphasize that engaging in the scheme could result in a felony arrest warrant, even if participants didn’t realize the full scope of what they were doing.
Officials Issue Strong Warning
DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli urged residents to stay away from any suspicious offers:
“If someone approaches you and asks you to participate in a ‘business venture’ that sounds like fraud, it probably is. Participating in this scheme is a crime. It’s unlikely you’ll land a big payoff, but it will likely result in your arrest.”
Investigators say more arrests are expected as they continue tracking similar incidents across the state.
How to Report Concerns
Residents can report scams or suspicious gaming-related activity by emailing DCP.Gaming@ct.gov. For more public safety updates and in-depth discussions, visit mikeandjonpodcast.com.
