SMS spam from affiliates

[pausefisk]

The last 5-6 months i have occasionally recieved SMS from "someone unknow" with signup links. I have no clue how/where this person have my mobilenumber from, and regardless if i have agreed to something or not, its not possible to stop these messages. The sender is not a valid number, but just a name that is randomly changed. I know how SMS gateways work, and its a scam the SMS system even allows to work like this.

However, using the unsubscribe link obviously doesnt work, and there is no way to track the sender. The only key i have is the affiliate link. Since the problem doesnt seem to stop, the only think i can do is to contact the casinos they represents, and ask them to remove their affiliate. I dont know the tems for an affiliate on casinos, but the new GDRP should be clear that it's not acceptable to operate like this as an affiliate.

I will be following up this thread with the reply i get from the casinos. I guess this is the only way to see if a Casino is serious about GDPR or not. I also urge others who recivece unwanted SMS like this, to contact the casino and ask they to remove their affiliate, because that is the only way to stop them.

I also urge everyone to stay away from the casinos that operate like this, and disrespect the GDRP. Never sign up on a casino that use people like this to get new players. Personally i BAN all casinos that operates like this, unfortunately because i know some of them are serious and decent casinos.

The list of casinos that this affiliate operates for (there is more but those SMS'es i have deleted), STAY AWAY)

• Joy Casino
• Redbet Casino (support replied back and said my request has been "moved up". Its been 10 days, havent heard *shit*)
• Voodoo Dreams (http://supraffiliates.com/ has been contacted)
• Goliath Casino
• Gale & Martin
• Casino.com
• Play OJO (affiliates@egamingonline.com contacted in may, no reply from them)

I've asked the casinos to reply back what they will do to solve the problem, and asked for an statement regarding this, and how others can stop this aswell if they have a similar problem with their affiliates.

Let me know if you have similar problems. We must fight this together.

Last updated 09.08.2018

GOOD RESPONS FROM:

• Redbet Casino (Taking this serious: told me to use the "stop" link and this affiliate shouldnt bother me again, if i get more SMS after this, they wanted me to contact again.)
• Voodoo Dreams (Taking this serious: will contact the affiliate about it)

NO RESPONS OR LACKING OF:

• Joy Casino (NO REPLY
• Goliath Casino (NO REPLY)
• Gale & Martin (NO REPLY: Talk with chat, who would pass it on to right deparment. I asked for confirmation from them, she couldnt promise anything...)
• Casino.com (NO REPLY)
• Play OJO (NO REPLY: affiliates@egamingonline.com contacted in may, no reply from them since may. new e-mail has been sendt directly to support@playojo.com - no reply yet.)

 

 

[SweFjorod]

I used to get those, then I blocked sms that contained the words "bit.ly" (have some more words added after that and now I don't get em

[pausefisk]

Hm, how do you manage to block words @SweFjorod ? I have an iphone, didnt find any way to block content.

Anyway, this person has bothered me with this shit, i want to bother him back by hopefully stop his earnings by doing this.

[Solutionnn]

I have been getting these on and off for like a year now. Its sad cuz I cant even stop them as the link they provide to stop u from getting the texts is just a form and even tho I have signed it a million times they still wont stop sending them!  Its annoying when ur trying to go on a break and u still get these spam texts!

[SweFjorod]

20 hours ago, pausefisk said:

Hm, how do you manage to block words @SweFjorod ? I have an iphone, didnt find any way to block content.

Anyway, this person has bothered me with this shit, i want to bother him back by hopefully stop his earnings by doing this.

Hmm... I have an Android, never had an iphone but look at this article : https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7691952

[pausefisk]

Today i got an reply from Voodoo Dreams casino, and i quote from the e-mail:
 

Quote

 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention,

We of course do not allow affiliates to spam and need them to be completely GDPR compliant, so I will talk to the affiliate immediately

 

I hope this will stop, but only time will show. At least the affiliate team from Voodoo Dreams is taking the GDPR seriously, and one of the first casino to reply back. Thumbs up!

If you get spammed aswell, be sure to contact http://supraffiliates.com/

Edited 31 July, 2018 by pausefisk

[nyx5]

On 27/07/2018 at 16:04, SweFjorod said:

I used to get those, then I blocked sms that contained the words "bit.ly" (have some more words added after that and now I don't get em

Thanks for pointing this out, I've been getting this SPAM too, but now they will be blocked at least until they change re-director.

[NickG]

File an official complaint. GDPR is pretty harsh. Some of these shitty casino's should get the 100k+ fines. They deserve it.

Edited 2 August, 2018 by NickG

[Ragnar]

Hi.

Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the community.  I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you're male, between 22-32 years old, and registered a couple of cryptocurrency accounts a while back? 

Being in the casino industry for years, there's not a lot of new affiliates based in Norway.  There are small ones, yes - but they're usually either going in blind, or trying their best. Those who don't have the "spark" quietly dies. 

I assume the reason for the upswing in SMS-spam is due to Crypto's. Note. I assume. There's been a lot of data on the black market. Stolen data (or blatantly shared with third parties) due to little to no regulation. As a result, we're seeing a surge in spam not only towards that niche; also the casino one. 

The only feasible approach is to either a) block content with shortlinks. b) contact the affiliate programs. You should never, ever open shortlinks in SMS. Copy it, and put it a sandbox-environment to figure out the tracking code. 

Thumbs up for Suprnation handling that request. Let's hope it's not just words. 

[pausefisk]

On 03/08/2018 at 12:09, Ragnar said:

Hi.

Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the community.  I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you're male, between 22-32 years old, and registered a couple of cryptocurrency accounts a while back?

@Ragnar you're assuming wrong. I have no cryptocurrency and never created any account regaring this. Good suggestion tho!

I dont think my mobile number is randomly picked. I am an active casino player, but i only play at good rated casinos (MGA license), and i can not remember i have signed up anywhere else. I have recieved offers from other casinos because i play at a sister casino or something, but then the sender is usually not anoymous so i know where to stop the offers.

[pausefisk]

Today i reciveced a new SMS from this same person, with yet another offer from "Play OJO". http://www.egamingonline.com/  is the affiliate collaborator for OJO, and i contacted them regarding this back in MAY, and still NO REPLY. They are not taking this serious obviously. I'm giving play ojo a last chance to reply, by sending an email directo to their support email.

http://www.egamingonline.com/tnc.html says this in their TERMS:

If you market our Brands in the UK or to UK customers, then by accepting these terms you confirm you are fully aware of all marketing obligations in the LCCP and the UK Gambling Act and the UK Gambling Commission requirements and will fully adhere to all conditions. Also if marketing our Brands you must ensure that you meet the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) standards. You also agree that if you breach any such conditions that we can terminate the contract and withhold any monies due

It doesnt help if they dont take it seriously. They also operate:

• PlayOJO
• DrückGlück
• AHTI Games
• Slots Magic
• Lucky niki
• €U Casino
• Casino RED KINGS

So make sure to stay away from them!

[nyx5]

I got that SMS too.
affiliate:casinodjungel2

I emailed one of EGO's affiliate managers directly (George at egamingonline.com), and described the problem. He actually did reply but I was kind of puzzled by his answer:

"Can you provide me with the number they are sending the messages to and we will get you unsubscribed.

regards,"

When I replied that this isn't something that I subscribed to, instead it's SPAM he again insisted that he needed my phone number to get me unsubscribed.

I don't know what to make of this reply.

[pausefisk]

@nyx5 unless you provide them with your telephone number they will not be able to remove your number from the list this person is spamming.

[nyx5]

On 11/08/2018 at 12:05, pausefisk said:

@nyx5 unless you provide them with your telephone number they will not be able to remove your number from the list this person is spamming.

 

I was expecting a reply more like he would caution that affiliate “stop all spamming or your account will be terminated”. No need for any phone numbers for that.

If he tells the affiliate to stop spamming my number he is basically saying it’s ok to spam everyone else.

Edited 12 August, 2018 by nyx5

[pausefisk]

2 hours ago, nyx5 said:

 

I was expecting a reply more like he would caution that affiliate “stop all spamming or your account will be terminated”. No need for any phone numbers for that.

If he tells the affiliate to stop spamming my number he is basically saying it’s ok to spam everyone else.

No not really, because if the affiliate follows the GDRP standards he can send out SMS offers to people who have agreed to recieve offers, so they cant shut him down just in general.

That is why its so importat that everyone who gets these spam SMS let the casino know about it, and if they get too many complaints, i'm sure they will close him down.

[Webzcas]

Unless they are operating outside of Europe, I would imagine any casino would come down like a ton of bricks on the affiliate or affiliates responsible. GDPR has real teeth. Plus if you are in the UK and receiving these SMS messages, then complain direct to the UKGC. 

[BTGKinG]

i was just about to make a topic about this subject and saw this.

I know when i get a sms from someone saying you have 11.000 kr (1100£) in your account click here to claim them, then it is 100% scam. The spelling is wrong, the last messege even said "this is your last warning, claim your 11000 kr now!"

i know the most easy is to not click on the link. I dont know how this works, but i guess the must be some kind of affiliate to the get some money every time they get a person to sign up at leovegas. 

The link that i got after clicking in the sms i have put in this post, my hope is that leovegas can at least do so this person does not make any money out of it.

 

Would love to hear from @LeoVegas_Support

here is the link that i got, click at own risk.

https://paladin.abeswaterfront.com/82ncdklv/indexsp.html

https://www.leovegas.com/da-dk/opret?btag=659810_2DFDD36D92184002A66D62141CDEED64&session_id=13fe1bc2-8c5c-4933-a93c-2ccb173f6501&transaction_id=11327&traffic_id=c64e4672-f86f-4ad9-9935-f4af970a67ce&pid=3598111&bid=1466

 

[BTGKinG]

20 hours ago, BTGKinG said:

i was just about to make a topic about this subject and saw this.

I know when i get a sms from someone saying you have 11.000 kr (1100£) in your account click here to claim them, then it is 100% scam. The spelling is wrong, the last messege even said "this is your last warning, claim your 11000 kr now!"

i know the most easy is to not click on the link. I dont know how this works, but i guess the must be some kind of affiliate to the get some money every time they get a person to sign up at leovegas. 

The link that i got after clicking in the sms i have put in this post, my hope is that leovegas can at least do so this person does not make any money out of it.

 

Would love to hear from @LeoVegas_Support

here is the link that i got, click at own risk.

https://paladin.abeswaterfront.com/82ncdklv/indexsp.html

https://www.leovegas.com/da-dk/opret?btag=659810_2DFDD36D92184002A66D62141CDEED64&session_id=13fe1bc2-8c5c-4933-a93c-2ccb173f6501&transaction_id=11327&traffic_id=c64e4672-f86f-4ad9-9935-f4af970a67ce&pid=3598111&bid=1466

 

was in contact with live support today, and they gonna look closer into it. They were happy to get the link i send them, so they could track down who is behind it.

[LeoVegas_Support]

On 22/08/2018 at 16:39, BTGKinG said:

i was just about to make a topic about this subject and saw this.

I know when i get a sms from someone saying you have 11.000 kr (1100£) in your account click here to claim them, then it is 100% scam. The spelling is wrong, the last messege even said "this is your last warning, claim your 11000 kr now!"

i know the most easy is to not click on the link. I dont know how this works, but i guess the must be some kind of affiliate to the get some money every time they get a person to sign up at leovegas. 

The link that i got after clicking in the sms i have put in this post, my hope is that leovegas can at least do so this person does not make any money out of it.

 

Would love to hear from @LeoVegas_Support

here is the link that i got, click at own risk.

https://paladin.abeswaterfront.com/82ncdklv/indexsp.html

https://www.leovegas.com/da-dk/opret?btag=659810_2DFDD36D92184002A66D62141CDEED64&session_id=13fe1bc2-8c5c-4933-a93c-2ccb173f6501&transaction_id=11327&traffic_id=c64e4672-f86f-4ad9-9935-f4af970a67ce&pid=3598111&bid=1466

 

Hi BTGKinG,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

As I'm sure you can appreciate, we work with many affiliates and we have quite specific contracts in place with them, as soon as we become aware that they have breached the contract we take immediate action. 

Therefore we would like to thank you for bringing this to our attention as this will enable us to take adequate action.

On behalf of LeoVegas we would like to apologise for the affiliate's actions. 

I wish you a lovely weekend ahead.

[BTGKinG]

2 hours ago, LeoVegas_Support said:

Hi BTGKinG,

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

As I'm sure you can appreciate, we work with many affiliates and we have quite specific contracts in place with them, as soon as we become aware that they have breached the contract we take immediate action. 

Therefore we would like to thank you for bringing this to our attention as this will enable us to take adequate action.

On behalf of LeoVegas we would like to apologise for the affiliate's actions. 

I wish you a lovely weekend ahead.

@LeoVegas_Support

Happy to help. i am sorry i did not make it clear in my previous post, i am of course 100% sure this spam did not come directly from Leovegas. But this was just so bad for your reputation, spelling errors and false information "you still have money in your account 11000 kr. I think i would remember if i had 11000 kr in my account ?.

The last message was almost written like a threat "this is your last warning claim your money now before it is to late" So when i saw the affliate link i thought i would share it so that the person does not make any money out of his/her scam. I have also given this information direct to leovegas in denmark. Thanks for the respons, make me happy that you take stuff like this serious. 

Edited 24 August, 2018 by BTGKinG

[pausefisk]

The example from @BTGKinG just show how far some affiliates are willing to go to get their commission. I'm glad you posted it, so people can see what to stay away from. People get tricked into stuff like this and other frauds every day (and im not talking only about casino affiliates). The reason they keep doing it, is because it works! It's hard to prevent people from getting fraud, but what we can do is to stop them from the purpose: take away their affiliate commission.

I have no clue about the terms for each affiliate agreements, but what exactly will happen to this affiliate @LeoVegas_Support ? Will he/she get a warning? Will the affiliate contract get terminated? Will he/she loose all commission? How can we be sure this affiliate won't trick someone else into this fraud?

Thumbs up to LeoVegas for at least taking action!

[BTGKinG]

@pausefisk also currious to hear what happend to the spammer (affliate) 

Edited 28 August, 2018 by BTGKinG

[pausefisk]

Today, unfortunately Frank & Fred Casino joins the list of casinos that is involved with this DI** of a person. How can you allow people doing illegal spam like this? I'm already a customer at this casino, and if i get another SMS offer on your casino from this person i will terminate my account at Frank & Fred immediately. Make sure this doesnt happen again @FrankFred Casino or its GOODBYE.

PS! dont bother PM me asking for my number so my number can be removed from his list. obviously that doesnt help anyway. How you going to make sure he doesnt spam me again is your problem.

This is the affiliate link:

https://promotions.epic.partners/frank-fred-casino/no/index.html?aff=100027_0AAA4NANAABA2018083110000000194061&mid=862&sid=52&aid=100027&pid=13

[FrankFred Casino]

On 31/08/2018 at 20:07, pausefisk said:

Today, unfortunately Frank & Fred Casino joins the list of casinos that is involved with this DI** of a person. How can you allow people doing illegal spam like this? I'm already a customer at this casino, and if i get another SMS offer on your casino from this person i will terminate my account at Frank & Fred immediately. Make sure this doesnt happen again @FrankFred Casino or its GOODBYE.

PS! dont bother PM me asking for my number so my number can be removed from his list. obviously that doesnt help anyway. How you going to make sure he doesnt spam me again is your problem.

This is the affiliate link:

https://promotions.epic.partners/frank-fred-casino/no/index.html?aff=100027_0AAA4NANAABA2018083110000000194061&mid=862&sid=52&aid=100027&pid=13

Hi pausefisk,

We appreciate you bringing this to our attention. 

As you probably are aware, we work with multiple different partners which unfortunately means we cannot know exactly what these partners are doing at all times. They have however signed up with our partner program, where they accepted our terms, and obviously spamming is strictly prohibited. When a partner is found in breach of our agreement, either by us noticing it or, as in this case when players report it we take action.

Once again we'd like to thank your for bringing this to us, and also apologise for the any inconvenience caused!

Edited 3 September, 2018 by FrankFred Casino

[pausefisk]

Excellent respond @FrankFred Casino