SportyBet In Trouble As Angry Customers Petition EFCC, FIID, SFU, FCCPC Over Its Refusal To Pay Winnings Worth Hundreds Of Million Naira

Betting site SportyBet faces mounting challenges as many users decide to stop placing bets with the company.

Investigations reveal widespread dissatisfaction among customers, who report not receiving their winnings and being denied access to their accounts.

The controversy began with Betner’s recent issues with SportyBet, raising concerns about the company’s customer service. One user, Anthony Anozie, who started using SportyBet in November 2023, initially deposited ₦5 million and grew his account to nearly ₦18 million through successive wins. However, SportyBet locked him out of his account.

“I have been in contact with their customer care agent since then, and anytime I provide the documents they requested from me, they will request more ridiculous ones. The last request was for my international passport. I have pleaded and begged them to reopen the account to no avail,” said Anozie.

Other users have similar stories. One customer reported having his account locked despite submitting all requested documents, such as bank statements, with communication from customer service ceasing entirely. Another user mentioned that their account was frozen when they attempted to withdraw funds, despite submitting verification documents like bank statements and a passport. These accounts highlight concerns about potential customer exploitation, with locked accounts, unresponsive customer service, and seemingly arbitrary verification requests raising serious questions about SportyBet’s practices.

SportyBet has attempted to justify its actions by alleging that customers used “bot technology” and “illegal automated bets,” which prevented them from receiving their winnings or accessing their accounts. However, independent IT experts have debunked these claims, casting doubt on the legitimacy of SportyBet’s defense.

As more users come forward, the need for a thorough investigation into these allegations grows. Over 100 customers, denied winnings totaling over ₦950 million and access to their accounts, have taken decisive action. They filed petitions with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), the Force Intelligence and Investigation Department (FIID), the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), and the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

The customers’ petitions, supported by IT experts’ findings, suggest they may have been unfairly denied their winnings. By involving these regulatory bodies, they hope for a thorough investigation and a fair resolution.

The involvement of the EFCC and the Police Special Fraud Unit underscores the seriousness of the situation. These organizations specialize in financial crimes and fraud, indicating a need for a deeper investigation into SportyBet’s practices.

Customers deserve clear explanations and transparency from SportyBet. With independent experts raising doubts about fraudulent activity, SportyBet must provide concrete evidence to justify its actions. Customers who play by the rules deserve fair treatment and their rightful winnings. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for future disputes.

The post SportyBet In Trouble As Angry Customers Petition EFCC, FIID, SFU, FCCPC Over Its Refusal To Pay Winnings Worth Hundreds Of Million Naira first appeared on Newsdirect.