| I am sure you all have seen the ads for the | | | | to call a handicap service the day the Jets/Dolphins |
| handicapper's that claim to have inside team | | | | and the 49’ers/Chargers games are being offered |
| information and “The 20 Star Lock of the | | | | to gamble on. Once they get the caller's complete |
| Year".Ads for these services can easily be found both | | | | relevant details the service tells the first caller that the |
| in the sports section of the paper and on line. | | | | top picks for the day are, say, the Patriots and 49ers. |
| They take advantage of naïve people looking for | | | | Caller 2 is told that the Dolphins and Seahawks are to |
| fast cash. These experts claim seemingly impossible | | | | teams to wager on. The first caller is instructed to bet |
| winning percentages of 80% or more. | | | | on one game while the next is told to go for another. |
| Among the sports betting public there is a cancer | | | | Clearly, out of the callers, one of them will be 2-0. |
| known as scamdicappers.These people don't care | | | | Chances are that this caller is going to be manipulated |
| about earning money for their customers. The scam is | | | | into spending a lot of money on a pick package. Two |
| so simple, and the number of those who will fall for it | | | | other caller's will end up 1-1 and only have to worry |
| so large, that the people behind it may live off of it for | | | | about paying juice. This pair of callers might be |
| a lifetime. | | | | persuaded to try out the service once more. One |
| Naive gamblers will always be around. Some might | | | | extra free pick is given for those who put themselves |
| have really gotten themselves deeply in the red, but | | | | back in the lottery for the lucky pick, and a follow-up |
| others are motivated by greed and are sure they'll win. | | | | picks package. The final caller loses each wager as |
| Gamblers at the end of their rope will call up these | | | | well as a lot of money, most likely, to a bookie or |
| people, hoping for a free pick and a jackpot. At the | | | | internet sportsbook firm. |
| end of the call, the gambler has wired money through | | | | When you think of how many callers there are on a |
| Western Union for a "sure-fire" pick package.In fact, | | | | weekly basis, it's easy to see what a money maker |
| these charlatans don't put bets on their selections. As I | | | | scam like this can be. If once you already got the |
| stated before, their picks have no value, but they | | | | winning picks, it is highly unlikely that you will continue |
| make money selling them. | | | | receiving the winning picks in future. You'll eventually |
| The scam is very simple. The only thing the | | | | end up in a bigger hole than you did in the first place, |
| 'scamdicapper' needs to do is direct every naive caller | | | | even though you might have won at first. Once you |
| to place a wager on a separate team. They clearly | | | | realize you were tricked, you will not have any trouble |
| expect those who arbitrarily win to be in contact again, | | | | to stop using the service. Unfortunately by then it's too |
| this time wishing to buy an 'upgraded' package. | | | | late. |
| One example would be that four separate people try | | | | |