Fake mailing shakes Casinos Austria
A fake mailing and website have put Casinos Austria at the center of a fraud case. The mailing, which praises the gambling monopoly and the casino subsidiary Win2Day to the highest degree, seems at first glance to be an official communication from the company. But the reality is different: An unknown fraudster is behind the campaign, who apparently worked with artificial intelligence (AI) to make both the mailing and the website appear deceptively real.
The press release emphasized the importance of Win2Day as the only legal provider of online gambling in Austria. This actually corresponds to the message that Casinos Austria regularly conveys. However, neither the mailing nor the associated website originate from the casinos. The Austrian Lotteries, also part of the group, confirmed this in a statement.
The fake text even listed a supposed contact person named Anna Müller. However, the phone number provided was not registered in Austria. Instead, it led to a person in Germany who had no connection to the broadcast.
How the fraud of the fake mailing took place
The fake website copied the design of Win2Day almost perfectly, making it difficult for laypeople to distinguish it from the real one. Technically professionally implemented, the fraudsters apparently used AI tools to create the appearance of authenticity. According to information, the originator of the mailing is ImpulsQ GmbH, a company that has not yet had any notable publications to its name.
The campaign did not go unnoticed. The OVWG association, which represents illegal gambling operators in Austria, reacted promptly and published its own press release criticizing the "misleading statements." This shows how profoundly the fake campaign has shaken up the industry.
For Casinos Austria, the incident is more than just a blow to its image. Unauthorized use of the Win2Day brand and the distribution of fake information are punishable by law. The company has announced that it will take legal action against those responsible. However, the search for the perpetrators is proving difficult because they appear to be operating from a foreign base.
Why the case is problematic
The fake message could easily create the impression that Casinos Austria is involved in questionable PR methods. This not only damages the company, but also raises questions about the security and authenticity of online communication.
The fraud case surrounding the fake broadcast shows how dangerous AI-supported deception can be. Casinos Austria is faced with the challenge of limiting the damage and holding the perpetrators accountable. Time will tell whether this will succeed. What is certain is that the case will further fuel the discussion about the gambling monopoly and security in the online sector.
