Consumer protection groups in the UK are raising alarms about websites offering money in exchange for personal identification documents, which are subsequently used to create multiple online betting accounts.

These sites solicit passports, driving licenses, and proof of address documents, promising cash rewards. For example, Moneyful.co.uk offered £100 (US$124) for ID use and an additional £100 for referrals before their website was taken down.

Sam Richardson from Which? Money strongly advises against sharing personal information with unfamiliar firms, recommending that individuals consult their banks before entering such arrangements to avoid potential conflicts with banking terms.

While these operations claim legitimacy through sophisticated betting software, similar schemes have led to criminal convictions. In 2023, Jon Howard received a five-year prison sentence for fraudulently operating over 1,000 Bet365 accounts using others' ID documents, generating £236,000 (US$295,000) in illegal profits.

Moneyful's legal representatives defended their operations, citing:

• Full tax compliance and VAT registration
• A 4.3 TrustPilot rating from 67 reviews
• Transparency in operations
• Comparison to legitimate passive income sources

Despite these claims, the website was subsequently taken offline and listed for sale by the domain registrar, raising further concerns about the legitimacy of such operations.

The practice may also be linked to:

• Bonus abuse through matched betting
• Professional gamblers seeking "clean" accounts after restrictions
• Potential identity theft risks
• Violations of banking and gambling regulations

Consumer advocates recommend extreme caution when encountering such offers, regardless of their promised returns or apparent legitimacy.

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