Like a zombie rising from the dead, infamous con artist Jan Robert Gustafsson appears intent on worming his way back into the online gambling industry.
In mid-May, I began hearing industry buzz around a new Manila-based online casino game distributor, QTech Games. The company is headed up by Jonas Alm, who also serves as CEO of software developer Mahjong Logic.
QTechs promotional material indicated that it was offering a large selection of games from familiar industry names such as NetEnt, QuickSpin, Habanero and others, at prices below the industry average.
But shortly after I began contacting some of these companies to inquire about their QTech connection, their names started vanishing from QTechs website. To understand why, it helps to know a little about Gustafssons shady history in the online gambling world.
GUSTOGRAPHY Gustafsson previously headed up the Manila-based Bodog Asia online gambling business until he was sacked for gross incompetence in 2013. A few months later, Gustafsson filed an affidavit with local police that falsely accused his former employer of violating the terms of its Philippine gambling license by accepting wagers from local residents.
Gustafssons lies led to raids on the Bodog Asia offices that failed to find evidence to support Gustafssons claims. The Philippine Court of Appeals ultimately ruled that the raids were illegal and ordered an investigation into the judge who approved the search warrants despite Gustafssons utter lack of evidence.
Gustafssons lies were part of a futile bid to distract from his own growing list of criminal charges in the Philippines. The charges stemmed from a failed conspiracy hatched by Gustafsson and several co-workers to embezzle large sums of money from their former employer, which they planned to use to launch their own online gambling operation.
THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING CLIENT LIST NetEnt was the first company I contacted regarding QTech Games, as their logo was featured prominently on QTechs website and on its G2E Asia company profile.
NetEnt didnt respond to my inquiry but the NetEnt logo disappeared from the QTech homepage a couple days later. A source close to NetEnt who spoke under promise of anonymity told me that the company had expressed concerns about Gustafssons possible involvement with QTech.
The first company to reply to my emails was Canadas Amaya Gaming (soon to be known as The Stars Group). An Amaya spokesperson said, and I quote: I literally have no idea what youre talking about. What makes you think we have a relationship with these guys?
The spokesman insisted that no one at Amaya was aware of any current or past relationship with QTech, but I pointed out that Amayas logo was the first company listed on the QTech websites list of partners. Mirroring the NetEnt situation, the Amaya logo also disappeared from the QTech homepage the following day.
THREATS AND DENIALS My communications with QTechs partners (knowing or otherwise) prompted CEO Alm to send me a letter via his Swedish legal team, characterizing my inquiries as intentionally malicious behavior and threatening legal action against myself and CalvinAyre.com.
Alm also stated that Gustafsson was not the owner of QTech. When I followed up by asking if Gustafsson had any ownership stake in QTech or its parent company TechAsia Portal Corp., Alm replied that Gustafsson is not, and will never be, a shareholder in either QTech or TechAsia. Alm also said Gustafsson is not, and never will be, an employee of or consultant to either company.
Despite Alms denial, our sources insist that Gustafsson is directly involved in QTech/TechAsia. And theres ample documented evidence of his indirect involvement, as TechAsias certificate of incorporation lists the companys largest shareholder as Swedish national Kim Andreas Bertil Jonson, who just happens to be Gustafssons stepson. Jonson also chairs TechAsias board of directors.
Whats more, Gustafssons daughter-in-law Xin Zhao was originally listed as TechAsias treasurer. Xin recently ceded that role to Dulce Amor C. Vidamo, the former treasurer of Top Trend Gaming, which shared an office with Gustafsson a few years back when he was trying to get a payment processing business off the ground.
WORD TO THE WISE Make no bones about it: Gustafsson has worn out his welcome in the online gambling industry and CalvinAyre.com considers it a public service to track his dealings to ensure companies are aware with whom theyre dealing.
This is even more important for Asian-facing operators now that Philippine regulators are increasing their oversight of the online gambling industry. More than ever, operators need to know that their business relationships arent going to lead to a regulatory smackdown.
Remember: Gustafsson deliberately lied to the police in an attempt to (a) bring down a gaming industry competitor, and (b) save his own skin. While he was unsuccessful on both counts, theres no telling what future dirty tricks he might pull if he feels threatened or sees an advantage to exploit.
And Gustafsson will most definitely be feeling threatened, as his former employer is preparing to file fresh charges against Gustafsson and the other members of his criminal conspiracy as new information regarding their botched caper continues to come to light.
Read the rest here:
Online gambling conman Robert Gustafsson rises from the dead - CalvinAyre.com
- Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling: Learn How to Stop ... - December 12th, 2016 [December 12th, 2016]
- Remote Gambling Association (RGA) - December 16th, 2016 [December 16th, 2016]
- William Hill Casino Club - Up To 150 Casino Bonus - December 19th, 2016 [December 19th, 2016]
- Gambling - The New York Times - December 31st, 2016 [December 31st, 2016]
- Trusted Online Gambling Sites Since 1996 - Online.Gambling.org - January 7th, 2017 [January 7th, 2017]
- Casino Gambling Web | Best Online Gambling News and Casinos ... - January 11th, 2017 [January 11th, 2017]
- Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling - helpguide.org - January 15th, 2017 [January 15th, 2017]
- Industry: Crackdown on illegal gambling in the Philippines now ... - GamingTodaySlotsToday - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Military should screen for gambling disorder, GAO says - Virginian-Pilot - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Gambling with people's autonomy | Liberties | Risk | spiked - Spiked - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Bill introduced to lower age for legal gambling in Nevada - Las Vegas Review-Journal - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- FIFA YouTuber Pleads Guilty To Gambling Charges [UPDATE] - GameSpot - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Gambling Stock Roundup: Macau Sales Rise Again in January, Nevada Records a Drop in December - Yahoo Finance - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Super Bowl sets gambling record at Nevada sports books - Reuters - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Older gamblers face worse odds for addiction - Times Herald-Record - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- How to Handle Gambling Wins and Losses This Tax Season - TheStreet.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- GAO report recommends military members be screened for ... - wtkr.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- The Newest Challenge in Gambling: Finding Growth - Motley Fool - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Raising a question about gambling prohibition - Dothan Eagle - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- A Creepy Dude Is Your Inner Gambling Addict in These Horrifying PSAs From Tom Tagholm - Fishbowl NY (blog) - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Super Bowl Betting Tally Helps Make the Case for Legalized Sports Gambling - TheStreet.com - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- MLB commissioner admits the league is rethinking its stance on gambling - FOXSports.com - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Why I love fake gambling and in-game casinos according to a psychologist - PC Gamer - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- YouTubers fined for running illegal FIFA 17 gambling site - Ars Technica - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Deducting Gambling Losses on Your Taxes - TheStreet.com - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Gambling pot grows for Madison County - Utica Observer Dispatch - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- How Vietnam Is Changing Its Gambling Rules To Win Foreign Investment - Forbes - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- No truth to alleged link between missing Spencerport teen, illegal gambling - 13WHAM-TV - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- The world's biggest gamblers - The Economist (blog) - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Idaho House Panel Introduces Bill Limiting Indian Gambling - Boise State Public Radio - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Pennsylvania Omnibus Gambling Bill Presented to House - Casino.Org News - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Gamblers caught in Hat Yai open-air casino bust | Bangkok Post: news - Bangkok Post - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Men Fined Over FIFA Gambling Operation - Card Player - CardPlayer.com - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Rob Manfred may change MLB's stance on gambling - SB Nation - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Do you have a mobile gambling/gaming problem? - KMTV - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- OUR VIEW: Transparency needed in gambling operations - Pacific Daily News - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- New York State transformation into the gambling big leagues nearly complete with opening of newest casino - The Daily Freeman - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Kenya: Gambling in Kenya Gets Out of Hand - AllAfrica.com - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Gambling Responsibly - New York Times - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Duterte targets illegal gambling in the Philippines - Yahoo News - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- US Grabs Biggest Global Gambling Industry Win Share in 2016 - Casino News Daily - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- UFC 208 odds, gambling guide - MMA Fighting - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Calendar urges gamblers to cut their losses l Dayton, Ohio - Dayton Daily News - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Gambling Manga "Akagi" Begins Countdown to Conclusion - Crunchyroll News - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Football's gambling problem: You better, you better, you bet - Football365.com - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- States are gambling with law enforcement safety - The Hill (blog) - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- AFL's gambling ads concern for Cats star - Wide World of Sports - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Celeb Gambling Ring Members Fear They've Been CAUGHT On Wiretaps Making Illegal Bets, Source Claims - Radar Online - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Highway Patrol: Raid of Warren bar uncovers illegal gambling - WKBN.com - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Scary graph shows how Australians are the biggest losers - NEWS.com.au - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Bato: War on illegal gambling won't be bloody - Philippine Star - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Last holdout Lakewood to vote on repealing video gambling ban - Northwest Herald - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- AFL's gambling ads a concern for Geelong Cats star Harry Taylor - The Age - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Online Casinos Generate A Third Of UK Gambling Dollars - CardPlayer.com - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Darlington deputies bust gambling house in Hartsville | News ... - SCNow - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Kim Jong Un's gambling half-brother reportedly assassinated - CBS News - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- BitcoinCasino.us Ensures Instant Payouts and Responsible Gambling - newsBTC - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Gambling operators are cashing in on teens' addiction to online games - The Canberra Times - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Americans Lost $116.9B Gambling In 2016: Report - CardPlayer.com - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Levine: Rick Hahn, White Sox Gambling On Right Trades At Right Time - CBS Local - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Wesfarmers considers pokies exit in bid to tackle problem gambling - ABC Online - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Massive felony gambling raid in Marietta | WAGA - FOX 5 Atlanta - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- 'War on gambling' starts with small fry - Inquirer.net - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Edgeless Casino Introduces Revolutionary Transparent 0% House Edge Online Gambling - newsBTC - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- FF12: When is gambling illegal in Kansas? - KWCH - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Osage woman accused of stealing, gambling mother's money - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- 'Operation Parlay' Leads To Gambling Raid, Arrest - Patch.com - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Pete Rose defends legal gambling: 'Who am I hurting?' - Yahoo Sports - Yahoo Sports - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Cops bust alleged gambling ring being run out of Cobb storefronts - Atlanta Journal Constitution - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Dunlap: State Rep. Gets It Right With Sports Gambling - CBS Local - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Gambling Addiction Treatment Center, Rehab - Non Gambler - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Problem Gambling Online Resources - Drugfreeinfo.org - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Attleboro seeks gambling grant for new dispatch center - The Sun Chronicle - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- House gambling bill teed up for next week - SaintPetersBlog (blog) - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Firms oppose Bill regulating gambling - Daily Nation - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Tim Simona faces NRL deregistration after alleged breaches of gambling rules - The Sydney Morning Herald - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Washington State Gambling Commission - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Online Casino USA Friendly Online Casinos for 2017 - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Records: 70 gambling machines seized, two arrested in Alamo raid ... - KGBT-TV - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Florida House Goes Conservative on Gambling Expansion with New ... - Casino News Daily - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]