UK Gambling Sites Offering £100 for Personal ID Documents Raise Consumer Alarms

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January 3, 2025 at 10:22 PM

Consumer protection groups in the UK are raising alarms about websites offering cash payments in exchange for personal identification documents, which are subsequently used to create multiple online betting accounts.

Money falling with Christmas decorations

These sites typically request passports, driving licenses, and proof of address documents, offering payments around £100 (US$124) per submission, with additional referral bonuses. Sam Richardson from Which? Money strongly advises against sharing personal information with unfamiliar firms and recommends consulting with banks before entering such arrangements.

One prominent example, Moneyful.co.uk, offered £100 for ID documents plus £100 for referrals. While the company's lawyers maintained their operation was legal and transparent, citing a 4.3 TrustPilot rating, the website has since been taken down and listed for sale.

The practice raises serious legal concerns. In April 2023, a UK court sentenced Jon Howard to five years in prison for fraud after creating over 1,000 Bet365 accounts using others' ID documents, generating profits of £236,000 (US$295,000).

While some professional sports bettors legitimately seek "clean" accounts after being restricted by bookmakers, the risks of identity theft and fraud make these ID-sharing schemes potentially dangerous for consumers. The practice may also violate various banking and gambling regulations, despite claims of legitimacy from the companies involved.

Anyone considering such offers should: