The Department of Consumer Protection Gaming Division in Connecticut has issued a warning to the public regarding an emerging scheme connected to DraftKings. According to officials, the scheme targets gaming operators and “promises a big payoff but could result in your arrest for identity theft, computer crimes and larceny charges.”
A total of 15 arrests have been made by the Gaming Division so far in connection with this investigation, with several more arrests said to be pending.
“If someone approaches you and asks you to participate in a ‘business venture’ that sounds like fraud, it probably is,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli.
Learn more about the illegal scheme:https://t.co/XgzKkTsl4L
— Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (@CTDCP) November 14, 2025
“If someone approaches you and asks you to participate in a ‘business venture’ that sounds like fraud, it probably is,” said DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli in the warning. “Participating in this scheme is a crime. It’s unlikely you’ll land a big payoff, but it will likely result in your arrest.”
How does the Connecticut illegal gaming scheme targeting DraftKings work?
The department has issued a step-by-step explanation as to how the scheme works, with it starting with someone approaching you, either in person or through social media, to ask you to open a gaming account if you don’t already have one.
They then provide you with a credit card and instruct you to make a large deposit into your gaming account, with these credit cards being allegedly linked to stolen identities.
The department continues to suggest that after briefly participating in gaming activity, the schemers will instruct you to withdraw the money and deposit it into your own account. You will then be instructed to transfer all or a portion of that withdrawal via a payment app like Zelle to a new account, often held by the original person who contacted you. That person then keeps most of the funds.
“This is fraud, and a felony,” said DCP Gaming Director Kris Gilman. “The organizers of these schemes will promise you won’t get caught, but that’s clearly not true. Identity theft and computer crimes are traceable.
“The message is clear: do not participate in this scam. You’ll be promised money for nothing when, in reality, you’ll be paid much less than promised, if anything at all. On top of that, you’ll be left with a felony warrant for your arrest. Never attempt to fund your online gaming account with a bank account that is not your own and do not share your online gaming account credentials with anyone.”
The department has also stated that consumers can report gaming-related concerns to them through email.
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