Dan Druff Rebuttal to Mark Seif on RawVegas.TV
It is not looking good for Mark Seif!
Dan Druff Rebuttal: http://www.rawvegas.tv/watch.php?vID=4b827014d311726e3e4b034f681c30
Mark’s video: http://www.rawvegas.tv/watch.php?vID=c20a0208043f44a52629bfdc684f60
More about Popcorn Gate
Posted By Nat at 2+2
With regards to what has become known as "popcorngate" — I’ve recently been filled in on a number of the details. While I did not get the information from a confidential source, the person who gave it to me would prefer that his name is not used here. However, he is currently pretty high up in management in AP and is a credible source.
There are a number of issues to address.
First, AP made the donation to "Sunrise Children’s Foundation" via wire transfer to a bank in Las Vegas. Not the best website I’ve seen, but you can check it out here: http://www.sunrisechildren.org. Also, feel free to verify the info with people there.
Second, the donation was not made until February of 2007. The guy who I spoke with admits that the timeframe for the donation was not ideal considering that the donations were received in July/August-ish of 2006. I’m told that it was largely an administrative screw-up due to a changeover in marketing companies (ie, the people who ran it). Regardless of the explanation, obviously it should have been made sooner.
Third, because Schneids was generous enough to offer to donate his refund to charity, AP is going to match that offer and donate that amount to charity in the near future. This is in addition to the money raised and AP is going to do so regardless of whether Schneids follows through with his offer.
Fourth, AP is going to run a charity tournament of some kind on their site where the rake will be collected and contributed to a charity (not sure if it will be the same one). In addition, AP is going to match the collected rake, effectively doubling the contribution from the community. I assume details will be announced at some point in the near future.
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=12671441&page=0&fpart=6&vc=1
Was Absolute Poker Rogue AJ Green setting up Sportsbook in Costa Rica?
Sources have confirmed that the Absolute Poker Super User account scammer AJ Green and another sportsbook associate were attempting to open up a sportsbook in Costa Rica. Could he have been using the ill gotten gains from the Absolute Poker Scandal? It sure does sound like it from what we are hearing coming out of Central America. The other associate of Green was a former sportsbook executive known as "Powers" that was rumored to steal customer databases from the places he worked at before leaving.
Mark Seif Video Interview Oct 26
Seif’s Comments Include
"AJ Green seemed like the type of guy you would find in a sportsbook," stated professional poker player Mark Seif. "He had a free spirit….He liked to party, he had long hair…we certainly did not talk about any hole cards."
Seif went on to state he met AJ Green in Costa Rica twice and that Absolute has already paid out "upwards of over $1 million dollars already" in refunds to online poker players.
"I think this type of incident could have happen on Poker Stars, I think it could have happened at Full Tilt. I think it could happen anywhere. The real issue is how the company handles it after the fact!"
Watch the full video interview by clicking the link below.
http://www.rawvegas.tv/watch.php?vID=c20a0208043f44a52629bfdc684f60
Ring Games Refunds From Absolute
Dear Valued Member,
Absolute Poker is happy to inform you that we have reimbursed your poker account in an amount to compensate you for losses resulting from a security breach in our system, where one player had access to an unfair advantage while playing ring games against your account.
Please be assured that we have corrected the problem that allowed the system to be unfairly manipulated. We deeply regret that this incident occurred and are committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure the highest levels of security, privacy, trust and integrity throughout our entire system.
Accordingly, the amount that we have credited to your account refunds all of your losses as follows:
• Your total net loss to players in ring games that had an unfair advantage; and
• Interest on the refund in the amount of 10% per annum.
We thank you for your continued support and again apologize for your inconvenience.
Thanks for playing at Absolute Poker! If there is anything else we can help you with, please let us know. We’re here for you!
Sincerely,
Team Absolute ~ Deposit Center
"To Continue to be the Best and Most Trusted"
Cashier@AbsolutePoker.Com
(US toll free)1-866-788 3005
Popcorn Gate
It seems that during the WSOP 2006 Absolute had girls selling $1 bags of popcorn stating that all purchases would go to charity. It seems the charity never recieved a dime from Absolute. Many members on 2+2 have contacted Absolute about this but so far surprise surprise Absolute have made no comment.
Schneids from 2+2 has posted the following open message to Absolute:
Firstly, thank you for crediting my AP account with $7497.
With that said, none of us have heard anything more about the alleged 2006 WSOP popcorn story and none of that money making it to charity.
If someone from Absolute can come in here and tell me which charity received your popcorn dollars and after contacting them I am satisfied that it is in fact a real charity and they did receive your money from selling $1 bags of popcorn, I am willing to donate every cent you just gave me, to that charity.
Anxiously awaiting further details on this.
New Statement From Absolute
Interim Statement
Absolute Poker (AP) today issued the following statement concerning the recent security breach in its system:
“Recently, AP was the victim of a breach of security in which a high-ranking consultant to the site devised a sophisticated scheme to manipulate internal systems and access third-party computers and accounts to view the hole cards of other customers during play and without their knowledge, resulting in unfair play. AP deeply regrets that this incident occurred and is committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure the highest levels of security, privacy, trust and integrity throughout its entire system.
“Upon learning of the incident, AP immediately contacted Gaming Associates, an independent worldwide expert in audits, interactive gaming tests and information security, to undertake an internal investigation. Immediately thereafter, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC), AP’s governing licensing authority, opened its own inquiry into the scheme. These investigations are active and on-going. AP is cooperating fully with the KGC investigation.
“The Company’s internal investigation is ongoing, and its preliminary findings are subject to the final audit findings. Thus far, the Company’s preliminary findings are as follows:
1. The perpetrator of the scheme was immediately terminated upon discovery and the case was turned over to the KGC.
2. AP has fully corrected the problem that allowed its system to be unfairly manipulated and is working to enhance its existing safeguards.
3. Since the initiation of the internal investigation, the databases have been locked down to ensure the integrity of the auditors’ inquiry.
4. The scope of the audit will not be limited to a certain time period.
5. The suspected period of time of the security breach has been identified. This period is recent and confined to a relatively brief period. The actual dates will be publicly released upon confirmation by the third party auditor.
6. A thorough review of the game play has begun to identify all of the adversely affected players.
7. AP is committed to refunding 100% of the losses incurred by its affected customers. AP has begun the process of reimbursing its customers, and will continue to do so as quickly as possible until all customers are refunded in full.
8. Even after completion of this audit, AP intends to continue working with third party auditors and security firms to ensure that the highest level of game integrity is upheld.
9. AP is instituting strict guidelines to restrict its employees, consultants and contractors and members of their households from playing for money on its sites.
“These preliminary findings remain subject to its final audit. AP expects its internal inquiry to last for at least several weeks, and it will continue to cooperate with the KGC’s investigation and to work with Gaming Associates until these outstanding investigations and inquiries are complete. AP will continue to issue interim statements related to its internal investigation as appropriate.”
Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
It seems now that Nat might not go to the Absolute offices in Costa Rica after all. I was dismayed to read on 2+2 that some members are not happy that Nat would be paid for his time and Nat is worried that this my compromise his report.
Nat posted on 2+2;
FWIW, I am not going anymore on AP’s dime. I made the decision on a few levels.
a) People who know me would know that I would not be compromised. Other people wouldn’t. Most people don’t know me. Therefore, most people wouldn’t believe my report. Since I’m not doing this for the money, I don’t really care if I skip going. Someone else from 2p2 (Mason, please…) can take the position with AP and do as they see fit.
b) I don’t want to deal with the legality issues of possibly being considered a paid consultant.
I am considering another method of going and still asking questions. I may or may not take advantage of this other opportunity depending on some details that are yet to be worked out such as what I would be responsible for doing, what the terms are w/r/t publishing the report, etc. I plan on discussing details tomorrow if it comes though.
Sorry, but if a report is going to have questionable integrity in the eyes of many (even if those who know me would trust me), it just isn’t worth it. I’d be doing this so people would think there’s an independent person down there and too many people believe that money compromises. I can say until I’m blue in the face that it doesn’t compromise me, but a lot of people don’t believe that.
Thank you to AP for the offer and opportunity. I welcome the invitation of Adanthar or another 2p2er down to CR on AP’s behalf and I’ll support his trip.
-Nat
Later Nat posted;
I have some other possibilities to get down there and do the same thing, just not on AP’s dime. While I’m "leaving some money on the table" most likely, I don’t care.
I am not here to brag (even though this is BBV), but I’ve had, at last count, 5 different successful poker ventures. thepokerdb and PSDollars are the ones most people know about. I keep the other ones private for many reasons. The amount of money in question here is retardly small compared to my other ventures and is really irrelevant.
I hope this other plan works out.
Rounders Radio Show
Great coverage of the Absolute Story from the Rounders Radio Show.
Confirmed Absolute MTT Refunds
Confirmed mtts for which refunds have been made by Absolute Poker.
1883389 PotRipper Tourney
1871011 $150K Weekly 8/18/2007
1873546 $150K Weekly 8/25/2007
1873059 $100K PRO BOUNTY 8/22/2007
1871149 $70K Weekly 8/19/2007
Also also tourney # 1873546