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In recent weeks, some 30 people from different countries have found their names on an Interpol list of suspected killers of a terrorist leader in Dubai. Why? Because the real assassins used counterfeit passports with these peoples' names and actual passport numbers.
There is some question as to who was behind the killing. The Israeli Intelligence Agency (the "Mossad") is the prime suspect but Hamas, the terrorist group of which the victim was part, has blamed both Jordan and Egypt.
Government officials in many countries have warned their citizens not to allow anyone except those at Passport Control points to have access to their passports. If they do, they are risking having their identity stolen and used in a future operation of this sort.
What does this have to do with Tower Gaming? Ask Stephanie M of Melbourne, Australia. Tower is refusing to give her either the $100 she deposited or the $198 she won unless she sends them a photocopy of her passport.
"It makes me nervous that they keep demanding a passport only," she told Gambling Grumbles, "it makes me worry about their motives and what they'll do with this kind of document."
It's not like Stephanie has not already given them other documents -- which would be sufficient for most casinos -- to prove her identity.
"They requested documents as several casinos do nowadays and I sent them my licence, utility (water bill) and a screenshot of my Neteller. They wrote me back saying they were sorry but they only accepted passports as government issued ID."
As Gambling Grumbles has never heard of such a requirement before, we contacted Tower Casino and were told by José, its Customer Service Supervisor, that he can not discuss a customer's account with us but "In the case with this player I believe there was a miss communication, so I have contacted her personally to explain what we require and why, if she chooses to disclose this information to you that would be her choice."
Stephanie, did, indeed, forward to us the letter that José sent to her. It does not appear that there was any miscommunication at all.
"Your account was blocked by the Risk department of the network to perform a security check. This is standard procedure and at some point all accounts opened on the network will go through this process to verify the account holder details. They informed us that they require a scan of your passport together with a copy of a utility bill and neteller screenshot. We understand that it can be really uncomfortable sending these documents, but I assure you that your information will not be used for any other purpose then the security check. They did review your drivers license but unfortunately it was not enough to complete the security check, which is why we ask for a passport right from the start, it is the quickest way to complete the review. And I assure you that if you provide me with a scan of your passport, I will personally see to it that your security check is completed as fast as possible."
The "network" that José referred to is the Ongame Network of casinos, of which Tower is part, and as Ongame is apparently requiring photocopies of passports for all of its casinos, Gambling Grumbles feels that you should think twice (at a minimum) before playing at any of them. A full list of them can be found at the Ongame website: http://www.ongamenetwork.com/partners
Of course, if you are like most people and don't have a passport, you don't have to worry about the information on it being misused -- but you may never be able to get your money from Tower or any of its partners.
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