Searching For David Howe
Published: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 Online-Casinos.com
SEARCHING FOR DAVID HOWE
Online casino turnkey scam under investigation
Gambling 911 reports that following collaboration with television channel CBS4 Denver, a "supplier" of turnkey online casinos has been exposed. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Arizona Department of Gaming are currently looking into a case where it is believed that scores of people were sold rudimentary online casinos for as little as $999 - but did not receive the riches expected.
Buyers were typically attracted by the prospect of working from home and the opportunity, backed by hype on the industry to generate tempting revenues.
Venture Concepts of Denver, believed to be operated by one David Howe offered complete online betting Web sites for $999. The sites featured poker, roulette, video slot machines and betting on sports and buyers were told they could make $25 000 in 3 months. But most of those who took the bait discovered that there was little if any business.
That was the cue for Venture Concepts to ask for additional thousands of dollars to advertise the Web site, and further thousands to secure a better listing on the Internet.
CBS4 found that Venture Concepts kept an office in Phoenix but it was empty, although a nearby dumpster contained documents for dozens of Web sites....and unanswered complaints asking for refunds.
"If a company, knowing full well that online gaming was illegal, was producing Web sites for the purpose of promoting that online gaming, that would be illegal," John Suthers, Colorado's Attorney General said. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation subsequently searched the Denver office of Venture Concepts and seized computers and records.
Unfortunately David Howe, the man suspected of running Venture Prospects was not available, and several attempts to contact him were unsuccessful. Investigations continue.
