A customer of the illegally operating online casino Rolletto revealed a series of unauthorized transactions involving their Monzo, HSBC, and Barclays bank accounts. The transactions, which occurred between May 24 and May 25, 2024, were processed by PayOp and directed to Rolletto, a website owned by Santeda International. These transactions highlight serious breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) laws. FinTelegram issues an urgent warning against Rolletto.
The Rolletto Connections
The customer has detailed how significant sums of money were transferred without authorization. These funds were funneled through PayOp to Rolletto, with the transactions ending up in a UK bank account with the following details:
- Sort Code: 04-13-07
- Account Number: 29904109
- Bank: Clear Junction LTD (UK)
Clear Junction LTD is a UK-based company regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an E-Money Institution.
Rolletto does not appear to hold a license from the UK Gambling Commission to operate within the UK. According to section 33 of the Gambling Act, offering gambling services to UK consumers without a license is a criminal offense. On its website, it is stated that the Rolletto operator Santeda International B.V. “is pending application by the GCB. Represented by https://igagroup.com.
Illegal Targeting and Misleading Practices
Rolletto is accused of targeting UK consumers registered with GamStop, a self-exclusion scheme designed to protect vulnerable individuals from gambling-related harm. By miscoding Visa and Mastercard payments, Rolletto and PayOp allegedly bypass UK banking blocks on gambling transactions. This practice not only contravenes the purpose of GamStop but also constitutes a deceptive and fraudulent activity.
The transactions were processed using false merchant codes, a severe offense under the Merchant Category Code (MCC) system. Misleading merchant information obscures the true nature of the transactions, complicating the audit trail and providing anonymity for the illegal activities.
According to the Rolletto victim, numerous card transactions were made using false merchant codes involving merchants such as Fomiline, Goriwire, Bitsent, Wintermdse, and Arcomet. These transactions suggest a deliberate effort to conceal the true nature of the payments.
Violation of PayOp’s Terms and Conditions
The actions of Rolletto and PayOp directly contravene several clauses in PayOp’s terms and conditions, including:
- Account Registration: Prohibits payments to or from entities offering illegal gambling services.
- Warranties and Representations: Requires merchants to have all necessary authorizations and licenses.
- Fraudulent Activity: Allows PayOp to annul any suspicious or fraudulent transactions and report them to authorities.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
The victim is now seeking to recover all net deposits and intends to pursue legal action if necessary. This includes recovering court fees, legal costs, and statutory interest. The case underscores the urgent need for robust regulatory oversight and enforcement to protect consumers from fraudulent activities. Financial institutions and payment processors’ involvement in facilitating illegal transactions must be thoroughly investigated to uphold the integrity of the financial system and protect vulnerable individuals.
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