Leading online bookie advised by police to pay extortionists

TheGeneral+ · Jul 19, 2004

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Centre Racing’s proprietor Terry Lillis felt he was caught between a rock and a hard place when extortionists threatened to close down his online betting agency if he didn’t pay them US $20,000.

Lillis says he went to Federal police to try and sort out the problem, only to be told that he would be better off paying the extortionists.

He then negotiated a reduced amount with the hackers but soon found his problems were compounded when others shut down his website.

After employing an American security firm at significant cost. Centre Racing is still not immune from the perils of online extortionists.

Barry Nicholls spoke with Centre Racing’s Terry Lillis and also Centerbet’s Gerard Daffy after his business has been hit for the fourth time.

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PanchoSanza · Jul 19, 2004

Is it really that hard to find these guys?

I mean when the money gets picked up, can't they have the cops nearby to bust them?

TheGeneral+ · Jul 19, 2004

I do not fully understand it either.

OMNIVOROUS FROG · Jul 19, 2004

If this is taking place in Russia cops are probably the bagmen. Secondly, these dos attackers are greasing or blessed, or they would be gone...Best Wishes...oF

PanchoSanza · Jul 19, 2004

I figured the cops must be in on it too.

Whats to stop the books from sending a few wise guys there to stop the problem and send a message?

Java · Jul 19, 2004

The police encouraging a book to pay an extortionist is just law enforcement's way of hitting the sportsbooks and leaving no fingerprints. If a business they cared about was attacked, they would respond. This way, the police can shrug their shoulders and hurt the books without all the work of building a case.

As for Centre Racing's choice of a security company... if it is not protecting the book (and helping trace the hackers), CR should warn everybody else to avoid the company.

General-
What companies are recommended for protection and what do they cost and how effective are they?

Hey, maybe the RX can starting advertising protection companies. No, wait, bad idea. People will accusing Shrink of attacking books that don't use his advertisers.