New Statement From Absolute
Posted on October 24, 2007
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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?
Posted on October 24, 2007
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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
Posted on October 24, 2007
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Great coverage of the Absolute Story from the Rounders Radio Show.
Confirmed Absolute MTT Refunds
Posted on October 24, 2007
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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
More Refunds From Absolute
Posted on October 24, 2007
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Players have been receiving refunds from mtts in which Potripper did not play which proves other cheating accounts existed.
Email From Absolute.
Absolute Poker regrets to inform you that as a result of a security breach in our system, one player had access to an unfair advantage while playing the following poker tournament: 1873546.
Absolute Poker has reimbursed to your poker account an amount to compensate you for potential losses resulting from this unfortunate incident.
Please be assured that we have corrected the problem that allowed the system to be unfairly manipulated. We remain committed to the highest levels of security, privacy and integrity.
This breach was exploited in several other tournaments and during some ring game play. We are in the process of auditing these records, and will pay for all losses suffered by the affected players in these other games as soon as these amounts are determined.
The unfair player has been deleted from the tournament standings.
Accordingly, the amount that we have refunded to your account includes all of the following:
. The tournament buy-in
. The tournament fee
. Any additional prize amount that you are entitled to as result of moving you up one tournament place if the unfair player finished in a spot higher than you
. Interest on the refund in the amount of 10% per annum.
Absolute Has Lost The Trust Of Its Players!
Posted on October 23, 2007
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Maybe it comes as no surprise that in a recent poll on EMS over 90% of players would not be happy to play at Absolute at this moment in time.
Nat Invited to Costa Rica!
Posted on October 23, 2007
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Nat, one of the 2+2 members who discovered the Absolute cheating scandal has been invited to Costa Rica to represent the online poker community and to carry out his own audit.
Nat on Big Poker Sundays Radio Show
Posted on October 23, 2007
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Nat from the 2+2 forum taking about Absolute on the Big Poker Radio Show.
http://www.pokerroad.com/_/big_poker_sundays/
More Refunds From Absolute?
Posted on October 23, 2007
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We are getting reports that Absolute are giving refunds for mtts in which Potripper did not play. This suggests that Absolute have found other cheating accounts. We will post more news as soon as we have it.
More “Suspect” Accounts At Absolute
Posted on October 23, 2007
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GRAYCAT
Crushed High stakes limit games on Absolute. Chip dumped large amounts to SUPERCARDM55. GREYCAT won more that $100,000 in high stakes limit games on Absoulte. Might have never had a losing session.
DOUBLEDRAG
DOUBLEDRAG won huge amounts of money in high stakes no-limit games on Absoulte playing nearly every hand. DOUBLEDRAG chip dumped $200k and $300k to Romnaldo (or REYMNALDO) -THESE ARE 3 CONSECUTIVE HANDS where DOUBLEDRAG and ROMNALDO capped every street playing $200/$400 heads-up, only to have DOUBLEDRAG fold for one bet on the river. HERE
After cheating story became public DOUBLEDRAG dumped 27k on the tables.
STEAMROLLER
STEAMROLLER won the $150 buy-in on 8/19/2007 for $20,700. STEAMROLLER also won the $100 buy-in on 8/19/2007 for $1636. Absolute Poker admitted this account belongs to the Absolute Poker staff. Steamroller is linked to Scott Tom. STEAMROLLER was from Miami. Verified by report with Tom on July 27th under the STEAMROLLER account and email confirming from Absolute. Two different people have reported to Dan Druff that STEAMROLLER had flashed between $200k and $500k on the table in the past, bragging that he had "wired it in".
OSCAR133
There was an "Oscar Hilt" at SAE in 1999. 2 tournaments, 1 9 entrants, 1 296, won both, total winnings 38k. OSCAR133 won the $500 buy-in on 10/6/2007 for $37,500.
PAYUP
Won $1K on 8/23/2007 for $35,700. Sheets a well known internet pro commented: "but it was on august22, before the potripper tourney, where I got 2nd to one of the cheating accounts, Payup, in the 1k mtt.
MCBILL
There is speculation that this account is linked to another SAE Montana Fraternity brother - WILLIAM WILLIS MCMANON. On 10/7/2007 won $200 buy-in event for $100,000. Montana resident and online poker player "MCBill" probably feels like he’s struck gold this week after winning access to a possible over $100 million in online poker tournament prize pool money. Absolute Poker revealed that the online poker player hailing from Helena, Montana has won the 5th Absolute Dream Package on October 7th.
Great work by the members of 2+2