Question about Gambling websites with Curaçao license using incorrect Merchant Category code (page 297)

Mystake block it if you say gambling habit they did it to me then you cannot reopen.

Write to the casinos about it use the fact your going to approach your bank about it if that fails raise the chargeback issue with the bank if that fails go to the ombudsman.

Hi all,

After falling victim to goldenbet, I’ve came across this forum and spent the last 6 hours reading from page 1. It’s really sad to see how many vulnerable people have fallen victim to these scam casinos and seems it really is just potluck as to who gets refunded. Either way I intend on trying my luck on getting a refund for my deposits.

I was previously on GAMSTOP for 5 years and once it ended in June, I found I could only access a single UK bookie (Bet365) with a very low deposit limit. I came across Goldenbet via streamers and after a big win on my first deposit, I began to relapse and found myself turning to slots whenever I was stressed.

In the last three months I have deposited over £10,000 (over 100 transactions) which has put me in serious financial difficulty and would like to try get this money back so I can put this all behind me.

From my understanding, I would not have grounds for chargeback through MCC as there were no blocks on my account as my GAMSTOP had expired (hence why I could access bet365) so would I be best off requesting based on "goods not received" or will this get rejected also due to the amount of transactions to the same merchants?

Am I correct in thinking I should email the merchants I can find first and request information on the payments and what I have purchased (fully expecting no reply) and use that as evidence during my chargeback request?

Is there anything else I could do to further strengthen my claim?

My payments were made via debit card (Barclays) and are mostly from:

skinsonly (can’t find any info)

mastertools (mastertoolsmania.au)

gamingstore (gamingstoreonline.com)

deposit (can’t find any info)

Thanks in advance for any helpful responses and just want to add that whilst it’s sad to read so many people being scammed, I’m glad to see people coming together and helping one another.

Even tho you didn’t have a gambling block they still used the wrong MCC.

mastertools and gamingonlinestore is pointless to contact, (both have the same owner) they wont answer. I found the owner of that company and wrote to him on likedin, no answer there either tho.

I think deposit is quickbit, they will respond, but not pay you back.

I would just try anyway put your case forward to the bank you have a good way with words.

I would expect you to recover something now your here and in a way this is also like a good support network for us victims.

Thanks both for the prompt responses and I hope too I can recover something.

Im still a little unsure as the steps I should take currently, should I start collecting evidence such as emailing the merchant first and give them time to not reply so I can use that or should I just go straight to my bank now? Is there any other steps the bank would like to see me try first?

With my circumstances, should I be submitting based on the reason incorrect MCC or Goods not received?

Lastly, would you recommend doing this via their online portal or should I speak to someone on the phone?

Apologies for all the questions, it seems you only get 1 shot at this though so want to try and maximise my chance.

Haven't posted for a while on here. I urge you to listen to what I am saying below for UK based people as I have had to go for a police interview in relation to one of these websites(specifically a merchant). I have also been speaking to a lawyer specialising in this.

If any of these Casinos have a licence in Aruba or Costa Rica then the chances of you recovering money directly from there is virtually zero. If they are Curacao licenced then there is a chance(as long as they are actually licenced) because of new rules on the Curacao E-Gaming and GCB licences there specifically for the UK.

If they are Costa Rica/Aruba then there is NO governing body to complain to.

If you do not have a gambling block in place at the time of the transaction and the payments have been made knowingly the Financial Ombudsman will NOT make the financial institution pay the money back to you. This is their general rule now. If there is a gambling block they will give it consideration, but only if there is a block.

If your bank attempt to fraud chargeback on Mastercard then it will fail as you knowingly made the transaction. You need to wait and in the meantime contact each merchant by email every 24-48 hours. After a few days chargeback under Goods and Services not received - your bank MUST attempt this. The issue I have gone through and the palava with Revolut and the FOS over this has been nothing short of crazy. Mastercard eventually had to get involved to fix this, because Revolut decided everything was "fraud".

The police interview resulted because of communications I sent to one merchant who have a UK company - I was questioned because I allegedly tried to "defraud" them. The merchant were a company registered in the UK but owner in Moldova selling CSGO skins which apparently I "purchased, agree to the T&C's and paid for in full". Be very careful with these sites - they will lie to anyone. The company registered in the UK have suddenly of course closed down.

My overall advise is DO NOT PLAY on any casino that is not UK registered and accepts direct debit/credit card payments. Rules will soon change and you won't be able to claim anything back if you knowingly used your card to make the payments.

Yes contact them if u have enough time as you are meant to try them for 14 days before contacting the banks so follow all the rules.

I would just say its gambling but it depends what bank it is but if loads of them it would be impossible to do goods not received

If you can do it online just do that I reckon its better as when you call you just get some idiot who will say gambling is not covered.

It says Costa Rica is not even a gaming license its also a haven for unregulated fraud casinos:

https://www.askgamblers.com/online-casinos/licences/costa-rica

I cannot see a way to check if a site is registered

Thanks, it seems yours and cryptos response seem to differ on the path to take regarding the reason for chargeback…not sure which is the best option to take.

I assumed at first that the goods not received would’ve been the likely option as the MCC route would garner the response that it would have made no impact whether the correct one was used or not as I had no blocks in place and as technically I did not receive any goods from these merchants. But arguing the point with 100+ transactions spanning 3 months would be a challenge without admitting that it was for gambling at which point it appears they would reject my chargeback claim.

Seems after cryptos last post, it may not be worth the hassle as this could end up backfiring and having my bank account closed down or a marker placed upon.

I doubt that would happen well I did about 100 now and after doing it again and relapsing the bank has raised another 26 for me they need to give you a big notice period to do that and its easy to switch banks anyway with most paying you £150 to do it !

It would need to go as incorrect MCC for that amount of transactions I would say plus you cannot be penalised for trying a chargeback !

Why did they say you were defrauding them? Was it a large amount?

Thanks for the heads up. Did the bank do the chargeback with that one as fraud?

Wait a minute so these sites are claiming your scamming them 😂 that has to be a joke and a half !

Is this to do with that Cardaq thing you were chasing that is the last I heard from you

Nobody has some contact details from merchant ZPDG?

For my chargeback I need to reach out to the merchant trying to ‘solve’ the issue otherwise my bank refuse to consider a chargeback. And since I approved it with 3DS I cannot say it was a unknown transaction..

It was about £600 from a while back. They claimed that I purchased CS:GO skins on their website and even provided receipts and alleged confirmation emails. They contacted the police and Revolut's fraud team were also involved. Safe to say that the Police are not pursuing the case. I have items still awaiting Revolut to action them as Goods and Services not received as the FOS instructed them on it. You have to have all the emails and have attempted contact for it to have any chance of working. I found that Quickbit are one of these merchants so I am expecting a response to that one at least, but Revolut are now going to show me anything that is sent back.

I won't be back near an online casino ever again! Just so much hassle and shit to deal with.

Ones I still have anything with are Quickbit, Bamimahas Enterprises, BK John and Waliah. Revolut have been ordered to attempt Goods and Services chargebacks by the FOS.

Ok that is good your getting it all sorted I am the same deffo learned my lesson 100% now if I get through this and manage to win all the chargebacks my bank have raised I am not even tempted to use them now plus I have done so many chargebacks I cannot afford to use any as most will probs not pay me now as they are all linked and im mostly barred so its been great as its helped me stop as well plus no way am I doing it again on my bank account now after getting support a second time round the sites left trying to tempt me are 1000% rogue I keep getting texts to join theredtouchan and loads of sh**te like this I do a lotto ticket now that is my only thing.

Hi!

Thanks for posting. I have a question. My credit card has gone forward with chargebacks under "fraud".

Is there other ways/departments they would process a chargeback under?

Did any other merchant come forward? Did any dispute your chargebacks?

I have emailed all of them, most didn't reply.. and also few refunded on their own. ..