A fake sportsbook site takes your deposit and blocks your winnings
A fake sportsbook site mimicking FanDuel, DraftKings, or BetMGM takes your deposit. You "win" inside the app but can't withdraw — they demand taxes or fees first. By the time you realize it's a scam, your deposits are gone.
Also known as: fake sportsbook scam, fake betting site scam, illegal sportsbook fraud, fake DraftKings site, fake FanDuel site, blocked withdrawal betting scam
Already happened to you? Do this in the next few minutes
- 1 Call your bank or card's fraud line right now. Use the number on the back of your card — not any number from the message or caller. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and freeze the account.
- 2 If you paid by gift card, wire, or an app (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App): contact that company immediately and report it as fraud. Acting fast sometimes recovers the money.
- 3 Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The sooner, the better.
What to do right now
- 1 Never click sportsbook links from ads, texts, or DMs — install the app directly from the official App Store or Google Play only
- 2 Before depositing, confirm the sportsbook is licensed in your state: the American Gaming Association's 'Find Legal Betting' map is at americangaming.org
- 3 If withdrawals are being blocked pending a 'fee' or 'tax,' stop immediately — legitimate sportsbooks deduct taxes automatically and never demand upfront payment
- 4 Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the deposit as fraud and request a chargeback
- 5 Screenshot the fake site, the chat logs, and all transaction records before the site disappears
- 6 Report to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI's IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov.
Red flags
- ⚠ The site link came via a sponsored ad, social media post, or text — legitimate sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings use licensed app stores, not unsolicited links
- ⚠ The URL is slightly different from the real brand (a hyphen added, a number substituted, or a different domain like .bet, .io, or .xyz instead of .com)
- ⚠ Your 'winnings' keep growing but every withdrawal attempt triggers a new requirement: pay a 'tax,' 'verification fee,' or 'account unlock' first
- ⚠ Customer support is only reachable by Telegram, WhatsApp, or email — no phone number, no live chat on a real company website
- ⚠ The platform is not listed on your state's gambling regulator's licensed operator page
Known variants
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Romance-introduced betting scam: a romantic interest met online teaches you their 'winning betting system' on a platform they recommend. The platform shows consistent gains until you try to withdraw — then demands a fee, more deposits, or a loyalty milestone before releasing funds.
Last seen: 7/25/2026
Sources
- FBI IC3 — PSA251217: Great Odds, High Risk — Illegal Sportsbook Risks for U.S. Bettors (Dec 2025)
- AARP — Online Sports Betting Can Be a Gamble as Scams Flourish (2026)
- Gamble USA — Online Casino and Sports Betting Scams Expected to Surge Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- KNSI Radio — Before you bet the bracket: 10 ways to spot a fake sportsbook (Mar 2026)