Internet Poker Rat Under Investigation for Fraud Down Under

Submitted by C Costigan on

Written by :

C Costigan

Published on :

Australian authorities are said to be investigating notorious informant Daniel Tzvetkoff for fraud.

The one time payment processor is believed to have worked closely with US federal authorities in bringing down three of the world’s largest online poker rooms.  All three are still operating in some capacity outside the US, though only PokerStars has paid its stateside clients in full to date. 

Asher Moses of the Sydney Morning Herald reveals:

Tzvetkoff, 28, who at his peak in 2008 was worth about $80 million, was arrested in April last year while attending an internet billing conference in Las Vegas, charged with being the mastermind of a $US540 million money-laundering racket.

If Tzvetkoff returns to Australia after helping the FBI with its case he could face serious charges over his Australian company BT Projects - the Australian arm of the online payments company that made him rich, Intabill.

Documents seen by this website show the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has been investigating BT Projects and Tzvetkoff over fraud and falsification of books. ASIC refused to comment.

It is understood that ASIC's investigation continued from claims made by Tzvetkoff's former business partner Salvatore "Sam" Sciacca, who sued Tzvetkoff for $100 million after realising the extent of the IT whiz's illegal activities.

The lawsuit has been stayed after Tzvetkoff's arrest by the FBI. He has filed for bankruptcy but is believed by authorities to have a secret stash of $100 million.

Moses also notes that Tzvetkoff is alleged to have diverted funds payable to Intabill in order to cover personal expenses as well as to buy goods and services for his own benefit without authorisation from the company.

- Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher

Related Content

Chevy Chase Maryland Supreme Court Litigator, Poker Pro Gets 6 Year Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

Chevy Chase Maryland Supreme Court Litigator, Poker Pro Gets 6 Year Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

A judge ordered Thomas Goldstein to serve 6 years behind bars without the possibility of parole plus five years of supervised release thereafter with a jury having found the retired Supreme Court litigator guilty on 12 counts that included tax evasion.
Alleged Staten Island Mob Capo Accused of Running Poker Rigging Scheme Requests Change of Plea Hearing

Alleged Staten Island Mob Capo Accused of Running Poker Rigging Scheme Requests Change of Plea Hearing

Portland Trailblazers head coach Chauncy Billups and former Miami Heat star Terry Rozier were also named in the related indictment.
3 Wounded in Stabbing at MGM Grand Casino in Detroit

3 Wounded in Stabbing at MGM Grand Casino in Detroit

The venue is no stranger to disturbing incidents over the years, as Gambling911.com reports.
Trial Continues for One Time Exec of Malta's BestPlay Gaming Ltd Charged With Complicity in Journalist Assassination

Trial Continues for One Time Exec Tied to Malta's BestPlay Gaming Ltd Charged With Complicity in Journalist Assassination

Businessman Yorgen Fenech who once had ties to Malta's BestPlay Gaming Ltd is on trial accused of complicity in journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia voluntary homicide and criminal association.