Online Poker Fraud Types: Tips to prevent and play igaming safe

Online Poker Fraud Types:  How to avoid 

The growth of popularity of online poker has drawn the attention of online poker fraud to it. And so, players must be aware of the potential risks and pitfalls associated with online poker fraud. Understanding the various types of online poker fraud is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable gaming experience.  In this article, Ugrado will discover common online poker fraud types in 2023, and different ways and tips for prevention. 

Online Poker Fraud: Types of Online Poker Fraud

Below are the most common types of online poker fraud in 2023.

Collusion

Collusion happens when two or more players collaborate and play at one table to gain an unfair advantage over others. They will exchange each others’ card information, coordinate bets, and manipulate the outcome of the game with gestures or any messaging to fraud money from other players .

Multi-Accounting

Multi-accounting involves an individual using multiple accounts simultaneously to gain an unfair advantage in the online poker games. For example, manipulate the game by exploiting weaker players, intentionally accumulate chips and more , in order to maximise their winnings.

Bonus Abuse

Bonus abuse is the unethical action to get bonuses and dump them into one account to cash out. Some of the common bonus abuse manipulation includes creating multiple accounts to repeatedly claim bonus , bonus hunting to search for lucrative bonus across different platforms and even collude to maximise the bonus requirement. 

Chip Dumping

Chip dumping happens when one player intentionally dumps money or loses chips to another player, usually a team to control the game outcomes or for fund laundering. 
For example,player A with a large stack of chips intentionally plays weak (such as fold the strong hands ) to lose chips to player B, and create an unfair advantage over other players who are not involved in the collusion.

Poker Bots

Bots are designed to analyse cards’ data, make the most optimal tactics and execute without human intervention. With the advancement in technology, bots have posed a serious threat to fair gameplay, and practically always wins over long distances.
For example, the poker bot is able to play on multiple tables simultaneously without any emotional or fatigue factors, making it can maximise the winning in a short time. At the same time, the bot can identify actual players betting behaviour and adjust according to it to make winning decisions. 

Hacking

Account hacking is one of the most common and dangerous online poker frauds, as hackers can easily hack into players' online accounts and illegal access to the personal information, login credentials.  Once an account has been hacked, hackers are able to manipulate game outcomes, phishing, gain account control and illegally exploit and transfer the player’s personal and financial information, as well as make unauthorised transactions   

Online Poker Fraud: How to Prevent 

You have understood all the common online poker frauds, now it is important to learn how to prevent it, as online poker should be a fun experience.  Ugrado has listed out some of the prevention measures to help players like you to avoid all these unsafe experiences. 

a) Research and Choose Reputable Platforms

Always search for online poker sites that are licensed and regulated by valid authorities, good reputation and positive review from third-party testlab or review agency. These reputable platforms provide strict security and ensure fairness and player protection.

b) Educate Before the Game 

Learn and identify the common online poker fraud behaviour and the latest fraud techniques to keep yourself updated. Try to follow reputed iGaming forums, blogs or third-party platforms to learn from other players’ experiences and insights sharing.  

c) Be Cautious of Third-Party Software

Never access or click into unauthorised software that seems fishy, and be cautious of unknown links that ask for your personal credentials. Only click on approved software provided by the legit platform to ensure a secure gaming experience. 

d) Use Strong Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Add an extra layer of security for your online poker account by using strong, unique passwords and apply two-factor authentication (2FA) to reduce the risk of unauthorised access/ hacking.  Tips: A strong and unique password should include a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Always update your passwords regularly for added security.

e) Stay Informed and Educated

Stay updated on the latest fraud techniques and prevention strategies. Follow reputable poker forums, read articles, and engage with the poker community to learn from their experiences and share insights.

How online poker platform prevent online poker fraud

Not only players have to prevent online poker fraud, the online poker platform itself has to add an extra layer of security to prevent scammers and ensure the fairness gaming experience for all players. 

a) Player Identification

A secure online poker platform should identify every new player by checking IP address, device etc if there are matches in the database. For example, the player account has to be red flagged if there are two or more players using the same device or IP. 

b) Password Strength Demand

Other than player identification, advice to request a strong password, such as strong password length, small and capital letters and special symbols usage. This measure is able to prevent scammers from hacking into other players’ accounts. 

c) KYC

By implementing ] KYC (Know Your Customer)  procedures, online poker platforms can minimise the risk of online poker fraud. KYC tools can identify and verify the players’ identities by collecting proper verification documents to enhance player protection, and maintain a trustworthy gaming environment

d) Regularly Monitor and Analyse the Players’ Behaviour 

Regularly review and monitor any unusual activities such as players' gambling habits, financial status, winning statistics and more. Always detect and investigate fraudulent activities such as multiple accounts, collusion, or chip dumping to ensure the fairness and integrity of the games 

Conclusion

Online poker fraud poses risks to players, but by understanding the various types of fraud and implementing preventive measures, players can reduce the risk of online poker fraud and safeguard their online poker experience.  Ugrado pays absolute attention to the online fraud issue, and to prevent online poker fraud Ugrado strongly advises players to find the most secure server and iGaming site. Ugrado team is always ready to discover and filter the iGaming site that is at risk. Head HERE for Ugrado iGaming tips and guide.