The Gambling Commission has warned customers of a scam currently targeting operators, in which letters purporting to be from the regulator’s CEO Andrew Rhodes claim to be able to release funds from other regulatory bodies.

Addressing licensees, Rhodes said he is not behind the missives and that the Commission would not write seeking cash to facilitate the exchange, encouraging business owners to be vigilant against such fraudulent approaches.

“We are aware of several fraudulent letters being sent to various people and organisations claiming to be from me as CEO of the Gambling Commission, seeking to authorise the release of funds or to provide reassurances,” wrote Rhodes. “These letters are fake and a scam and have not come from me or the Commission.”

“Aside from the common telltale signs of wrong letterheads, spelling and grammar issues and other signs, I have never written a letter authorising the release of funds by another regulator or in another jurisdiction and it’s exceptionally unlikely that we ever would. Likewise, we do not write letters of support.”

“These letters seem more focussed on Australian regulators at the moment, so if my Australian colleagues could please be aware of this and warn others.”