Back in October 2024, I noticed that a dodgy-looking gambling site (aka888.live) was linking to my website.
The “About Us” page had a picture of me, stolen from my LinkedIn page, as well as a blurb about my former iGaming career.
Total Horseshit
I’ve obviously never written any content for this company, which appears to be based in the Philippines and targeting Thai gamblers.
As creepy, weird and annoying as it is to have my identity stolen like this, it’s also very funny. I actually wrote a LinkedIn post about is, as it tickled me so much.
You hear people talk about impostor syndrome a lot. But I don’t think this is what they’re referring to!
But Why?
Who knows? EEAT I suppose?
They link directly to my personal website, as well as my LinkedIn page, so I guess they’re just trying to add authority to their own shitty content.
What’s especially funny about this, is that they also link to two online gambling articles that I wrote. But one has since been removed, for whatever reason, while the other was re-attributed to some dude named Vlad.
Guess Who’s Back?
Anyway, the site containing my stolen identity was eventually removed, sometime in January I think.
I don’t know why. It was nothing to do with me, as I couldn’t find a way to get it taken down.
However, I noticed today that they’re back, under a new URL, and they’re still pretending that I’m their chief iGaming writer.
As you can see, the website is almost identical, save for a few barely perceptible colour differences. The content is also the same.
Tongue Thai-d
I obviously don’t speak a word of the Thai language. But Google Translate helpfully informs me that the text says I “…produce many interesting casino articles, both under his own name and under AKA888”.
Well, the first part is obviously correct, as you’ll see from the showcase here on my website. But the latter claim is complete and utter nonsense. I’ve never written anything for these guys.
Glowing Reviews
It goes on to say “each article he writes is easy to understand and suitable for all types of gamblers, both professionals and beginners”.
Whoever wrote this also claims that I’m a “well-known casino gambling writer”.
I mean, I’ll take these wonderful reviews I guess 🤷🏻♂️
Thanks AKA888. I’ll send you the invoice on Monday.