Question about Gambling websites with Curaçao license using incorrect Merchant Category code (page 704)

Hope u got my email address before I deleted it

Sorry pal, I didn’t was in a call at work.

Can you drop yours so I can email you ? Mines my name

Anyone have cartflOw limited Nigeria email?

I’ve had a look and all I can find is Cartflow Limited in Nigeria (RC-7242133)

interestingly, the are not on Nigerian Register, so don’t exist - one for the bank to raise and should be straight forward.

I have include these in my complaints, to the bank, Nucleus, Falcora and Clear Bank. They have to explain why they are not applicable, it’s just an opportunity to focus them all. They may say this is different but fundamentally all have similarities to our position.

This could be useful also;

Unregulated online casinos that target UK customers without a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) are committing a criminal offence under UK law—and so are those who facilitate their operations (like advertisers, payment processors, or affiliates). It is not merely frowned upon; it is illegal.

1. Operating Without a Licence – Illegal

Under the Gambling Act 2005, it is a criminal offence to provide remote gambling services to people in the UK without a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. Specifically:

Section 33(1): "A person commits an offence if he provides facilities for gambling… unless he is authorised by a licence."

This applies even if the operator is based overseas but markets or makes services available to UK residents.

2. Marketing or Promoting Illegal Gambling – Also Illegal

Section 330 and 331 of the Gambling Act prohibit advertising unlawful gambling. This includes affiliates, influencers, or anyone promoting these sites in the UK.

3. Facilitating Transactions to Illegal Gambling Sites – Serious Compliance Risk

Firms subject to AML regulations (e.g. payment processors, banks) risk violating the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 if they knowingly facilitate payments related to unlicensed gambling, which could be considered criminal property.

Creative digital solutions refunded directly straight away when dispute was raised.

I need to start a fos complaint against starling, be had my final response letter basically staying firm on the 120 days rule and that incorrect MCC's are not the problem blah blah blah. What do I put in my fos report, do I put in every detail including all merchants, casinos etc

I have had success with stating the purchase was for video gaming currency - World of Warcraft or something like that. "I authorized the transactions, they showed up on my card as random merchants unrelated and I did not receive my purchase which should have been instant by email"

Just offering some advice for anyone planning to take their complaint to the Financial Ombudsman (FOS), especially around gambling-related transactions or payment disputes.

I’ve dealt with the FOS a lot through my work, and one thing I’ve learned is that your complaint needs to be clear, focused, and take the Ombudsman on a structured journey through what happened. You don’t need to include every single transaction up front, but you do need to explain the key points, supported by your strongest evidence.

Here’s how I would approach it:

1. Make sure you’ve tried to resolve it with the bank first.

FOS will want to see that you’ve raised the issue directly with your bank and that they’ve given you a final response or failed to resolve things after 8 weeks. In your complaint, mention that you attempted to resolve the matter but the bank either dismissed your concerns or put up barriers instead of helping — such as relying solely on time limits, ignoring clear evidence, or failing to investigate properly.

2. Set out a brief, factual summary.

Explain what you’re complaining about — for example, unauthorised or misrepresented gambling transactions, the bank’s refusal to investigate, or the way your case was handled unfairly.

3. Focus on the key issues that matter to FOS:

Unlicensed Gambling Sites: If any of the merchants involved are not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, then they’re operating illegally under the Gambling Act 2005. Banks should not be allowing these transactions to go through unchecked.

Merchant Misrepresentation: Many gambling sites deliberately use incorrect or misleading Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) to disguise their transactions as retail, software, or other non-gambling services. This misleads both consumers and banks, and your bank has a duty to spot and act on that — not ignore it.

Breach of Credit Card Rules: If you have evidence that these sites advertised or accepted credit card payments, that’s a clear breach of FCA rules (the UK ban on gambling via credit card). Including screenshots or examples can really strengthen your case.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Obligations: Banks are legally required to monitor for suspicious transactions, especially involving illegal or high-risk sectors like unregulated gambling. If there were repeated payments to unlawful operators and the bank did nothing, that’s a failure under AML regulations.

Consumer Duty Failings: If your bank appeared unaware of the nature of your transactions, or if things spiralled over time without them stepping in, that may breach the FCA’s Consumer Duty — which requires firms to act in their customers’ best interest and prevent foreseeable harm. It’s worth mentioning if they missed warning signs or ignored patterns of escalating harm.

Misuse of Chargeback Time Limits (e.g. 120 Days): If the bank dismissed your claim on the basis of a strict time limit, explain why that doesn’t fairly apply — especially if you only later realised what the transactions were or discovered that the merchants were acting illegally.

4. Show you have relevant evidence — but don’t overload them at the start.

Let the Ombudsman know that you’re happy to provide evidence such as:

A list of the merchants and transactions

Proof that certain casinos are unlicensed

Screenshots of MCC misrepresentation

Evidence of credit card breaches

Examples where other providers (banks, e-wallets, etc.) investigated or refunded similar claims

5. Be clear about what you want.

Whether it’s a refund, a proper investigation, or for the bank to be held accountable under consumer protection rules, explain what resolution you’re seeking and why.

Final tip: Keep it factual, focused, and fair. The Ombudsman doesn’t need legal arguments — they just need to understand what’s happened, why it wasn’t handled properly, and how you’ve been let down. The stronger and clearer your key points, the better chance you’ll have of getting a fair outcome.

Trust deed will do you it protects your property its called something else in England though

Submitted multiple transaction disputes against ZPDG on goods not received. 2 refunded immediately - bank is now asking for confirmation of delivery date on the other transactions. why they don’t just refund all is beyond me. Having the same with dsservltd. 2 refunded but the rest they want more info. I’m so exhausted from all of this and finding it so triggering almost relapsed again if it wasn’t for the bank ringing me just before I was about to depo on another site ugh 😣 🤦‍♀️

I've managed to get my bank to reopen a previously closed scam case against Falcora Finance. I have found tons of new evidence which goes against why the bank had previously denied the claim.

Still not sure if it will work, but I have highlighted to them that others in this forum have succeeded so I am really unsure why some people get their money back and others dont. I will keep you all updated !

Great stuff keep us updated.

I was shocked when Revolut told me they were refunding me. I’m going to see how others get on and then potentially raise it with my other bank also. There is obviously something clearbank or FALCORA finance have said to them for them to refund it as they wouldn’t touch it previously

Yes that is it IVA in England Trust Deed Scotland I completed one they only take the house if it fails but its hard to do that really monthly payments are designed around your income/outgoings