Two Glastonbury Men Charged in $3M FanDuel Fraud Scheme

UPDATE: Two men from Glastonbury, Connecticut have been charged in a massive scheme to defraud online gambling platforms, including FanDuel, out of $3 million. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in New Haven on July 11, 2023, accuses Amitoj Kapoor, 29, and Siddharth Lillaney, 29, of using thousands of stolen identities to exploit promotional offers from these sites.

The charges against Kapoor and Lillaney are extensive, totaling 45 counts that include 23 counts of wire fraud, 10 counts of money laundering, and multiple counts of identity fraud. Both men were arrested on July 6, 2023, and released on $300,000 bonds. They now face the potential of two to 20 years in prison for each count.

According to the indictment, since 2021, the duo allegedly purchased personal identifying information (PII) of approximately 3,000 victims from the darknet and messaging platforms like Telegram. They then used this stolen information to create gambling accounts, primarily with FanDuel, taking advantage of bonuses and promotional credits.

“Kapoor and Lillaney’s winning streak is now over,” stated U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan, emphasizing the severe impact of their actions on the victims involved. The investigation was a collaborative effort by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

The indictment details how the accused manipulated the system: when they won bets using stolen identities, the funds were transferred to virtual stored value cards. These cards, backed by an FDIC-insured institution, were then used to funnel proceeds into bank accounts that Kapoor and Lillaney controlled.

Thomas Demeo, special agent in charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Boston Field Office, stated, “Individuals who commit identity theft of this magnitude deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.” Demeo noted the significant hardship inflicted upon the victims, underscoring the IRS’s commitment to unraveling complex financial crimes.

The investigation, initially focused on gaming-related fraud, quickly expanded due to the extensive nature of the identity theft, involving potential victims across the country. “Protecting the public by preventing and rooting out fraud is our top priority,” stated Bryan T. Cafferelli, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

As the case unfolds, officials urge anyone who suspects they may be a victim of identity theft to report the fraud. The DCP recommends visiting IdentityTheft.Gov for necessary steps to recover one’s identity.

In response to the alarming rise of such fraudulent activities, James Gessner Jr., Mohegan Tribal chairman, emphasized the importance of a regulated marketplace. He affirmed ongoing investments in advanced systems to ensure a safe gaming environment for all players.

As this case continues to develop, authorities are focused on identifying all victims and preventing further fraudulent activities. The urgency of this situation highlights the critical need for vigilant consumer protection measures in the digital age.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.