Fortuneplay.top markets itself as the “#1 decentralized crypto gaming platform” created by famous billionaires like Elon Musk or Bill Gates. The site tries to entice users by offering large signup bonuses of up to $10,000 in crypto just for registering and using a promo code. However, users quickly find out they can never withdraw any winnings, as the site requires an additional deposit first that effectively serves as a withdrawal fee. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of how the Fortuneplay.top scam operates, so you can avoid falling victim.
Scam Overview
At first glance, Fortuneplay.top appears to be a legitimate and exciting online crypto gambling site. The professional-looking website is packed with promises of big payouts, generous sign-up bonuses, and popular games like slots, crash, and plinko. Combined with claims of being created by famous billionaires, the site can seem credible to newcomers in the cryptocurrency space.
However, further inspection reveals Fortuneplay.top exhibits multiple red flags that should set off alarm bells:
Fake Celebrity Endorsements
A common scam tactic is name dropping famous entrepreneurs like Elon Musk or athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo as being involved with the project. Fortuneplay.top makes questionable claims in different locations of being created by various high-profile billionaires. Yet there is zero evidence any of these individuals have actually endorsed or are affiliated with the website in any way.
Inflated User Statistics
Fortuneplay.top showcases impressively high numbers for “Total Players Online” and “Total Registered Players” to imply it is a popular and busy gambling site. In reality, these user stats are likely fabricated through bots and fake accounts to trick real users. Legitimate platforms show more modest user growth.
No Verification Requirements
Unlike regulated online casinos, Fortuneplay.top does not require identity verification when users register accounts. This allows the operators to remain anonymous, a clear warning sign of a shady operation. Strict know-your-customer (KYC) procedures are essential for accountable crypto gambling.
Withdrawals Conditioned on Deposits
The most cunning tactic of Fortuneplay.top is demanding additional deposits before users can withdraw winnings. This serves as an effective withdrawal fee while circumventing gambling regulations, allowing the site to profit off victims. Legitimate platforms never restrict basic account withdrawals in this manner.
Zero Transparency
Nowhere on the site does Fortuneplay.top provide any documentation about its owners, location, regulatory licenses, or responsible gambling policies. This complete lack of financial and operational transparency is a bright red flag that users cannot trust or verify anything about the platform.
Too Good to Be True Bonuses
Fortuneplay.top runs aggressive promotions across social media for bonuses of $2,000 to $10,000+ in crypto just for signing up. These disproportionately large bonuses that require no real deposit should be an instant warning something is amiss. No sustainable business can afford to give away such high amounts for free.
Phony Games
While Fortuneplay.top appears to offer popular crypto gambling games, they are designed to lure in victims rather than provide a fair gameplay experience. The games conveniently facilitate “risk-free” play with the signup bonus funds to build trust before the withdrawal restrictions are imposed.
By recognizing these types of warning signs, crypto users can hopefully avoid falling victim to scams like Fortuneplay.top. As the old saying goes, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Always do thorough research into any new online gambling platform first before depositing any amount of crypto.
Victim Stories
Many victims have shared their disappointing experiences online after falling for the Fortuneplay.top scam:
- Mike deposited $150 in crypto to Fortuneplay.top after being promised he could withdraw his $25,000 in winnings after account verification. After he paid, support gave vague excuses about technical issues whenever he tried to withdraw. After 2 weeks of messaging support every day, his account was locked and his deposits stolen.
- Alice was prowling social media for a new crypto casino and saw an ad for Fortuneplay.top offering a $5,000 sign-up bonus. After registering and playing slots with the bonus money, she won an additional $12,000. When Alice tried to withdraw, support said she had to deposit 0.5 ETH ($1,500) first for identity verification. After she paid, her account was frozen and no one responded to her messages.
- Bob registered at Fortuneplay.top using a promo code for a $10,000 bonus. He was impressed when his balance actually updated to show the bonus. He played blackjack and ran the balance up to $52,000 before trying to withdraw. Support told Bob he needed to pay a processing and gas fee of 0.25 ETH ($1000) before withdrawing because he used a promo code. After paying, Bob never heard back from support again.
These stories illustrate Fortuneplay.top ultimately has no intention of letting users withdraw any winnings. The promise of bonuses and winnings is merely a facade to trick victims into depositing funds, which the scammers then keep.
How the Scam Works
The operators of Fortuneplay.top have devised an ingenious multi-step scam designed to part victims from their money:
1. Attract Users with Promo Offers
The first step is attracting users to the site with tempting promotional offers, such as bonuses of $2,000 to $10,000 in crypto just for signing up and using a promo code. These offers are advertised heavily on social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, targeting users who may be unfamiliar with more reputable crypto gambling sites.
2. Let Users Play Games Risk-Free
Once users register accounts, they are impressed to see the large bonus balances in their accounts. Fortuneplay.top lets users play popular crypto gambling games like Crash, Slots, Dice, and Plinko risk-free, since they are playing with the bonus funds, not their own deposits. This gives the appearance that winnings are possible, even though the bonuses cannot be withdrawn (which is only revealed later).
3. Slowly Reveal Withdrawal Restrictions
When a user inevitably tries to withdraw some of their winnings from playing with the bonus, Fortuneplay.top does not immediately indicate withdrawals are impossible. Instead, they state that the user must “verify their account” before withdrawing. This gives the appearance that withdrawals are possible after completing additional steps.
4. Require Additional Deposits to “Verify” Accounts
This is the heart of the scam. When users try to withdraw winnings, Fortuneplay.top support staff claim their account must be “verified” first. Conveniently, the verification process requires an additional deposit of $150 to $500 to complete.
Unsuspecting users, believing they are following a standard verification process, comply with the deposit demand. However, after completing this deposit, Fortuneplay.top will come up with new excuses why the withdrawal cannot be processed, demanding further hoops to jump through.
5. Stonewall Users with Excuses
Even after depositing hundreds of dollars for “verification”, users report that Fortuneplay.top support simply comes back with more withdrawal conditions or excuses. This can include things like:
- Need to complete additional KYC steps
- Withdrawals are delayed due to technical issues
- Users must deposit more funds to “unlock” withdrawals
This stalling gives Fortuneplay.top time to shut down accounts, ghost users, and eventually take the site offline once enough new deposits have been collected.
What to Do if You Are a Victim
If you unfortunately already deposited and lost money to the Fortuneplay.top scam, here are some important steps to take:
- Cease All Activity on the Site
First and foremost, stop depositing any additional funds into your Fortuneplay.top account immediately. No matter what promises support staff make about releasing your winnings after one more payment, it is simply a ploy to steal more of your money. Delete any saved payment information to avoid the temptation of “just one more deposit”. Accept that any prior deposited crypto is likely gone for good.
- Collect Evidence
Take screenshots documenting everything you can regarding the scam – your account dashboard showing balances/winnings, any correspondence with support staff, details on promotions you utilized, etc. Collecting this evidence now can help if you later decide to pursue legal action to attempt recovering losses. Be sure to date the screenshots.
- Report Fortuneplay.top
An important step is reporting Fortuneplay.top to as many relevant authorities as possible. File a complaint with gambling regulatory agencies in jurisdictions where you reside and where Fortuneplay claims to operate. Additionally, report the site to cybercrime divisions at law enforcement agencies. Getting the domain blacklisted can prevent future victims.
- Notify Payment Providers
Contact any payment providers linked to deposits you made at Fortuneplay.top – whether it be crypto exchanges, mobile wallet apps, credit card companies, or banks. Reporting fraudulent activity can help get the site blocked from these payment processors. Preventing deposits cripples the scam.
- Leave Online Warnings
Post about your negative experience on gambling scam warning websites, online casino forums, and social media platforms. Spreading awareness helps protect other users from falling for the Fortuneplay.top trap. Make sure to stick to factual details so your warnings are taken seriously.
- Consult an Attorney
Schedule a consultation with an attorney experienced in online gambling fraud. Depending on your location, you may be able to file a lawsuit or join a class action to recover some percentage of lost funds. An attorney can best advise your options.
- Adjust Gambling Activity
If you are continuing to gamble online, be far more cautious going forward. Only play on reputable sites with long histories. Start by depositing small amounts as a test. And steer clear of any platform promoting bonus offers that seem disproportionately large compared to required deposits.
By taking these steps after being scammed, you can help ensure Fortuneplay.top does not victimize more crypto gamblers. And you may be able to regain a portion of lost funds by holding the scammers accountable to the fullest extent possible.Share
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fortuneplay.top Crypto Gambling Scam
1. What is Fortuneplay.top?
Fortuneplay.top promotes itself as a decentralized crypto gambling platform created by famous billionaires. However, it is an unregulated scam site designed to steal users’ deposits. It lures victims with promises of large sign-up bonuses in crypto that can never be withdrawn.
2. How does the Fortuneplay.top scam work?
The site attracts users with big crypto signup bonuses up to $10,000. Users can play games risk-free with the bonus money first. When trying to withdraw winnings, Fortuneplay.top support insists users must deposit their own crypto, claiming it is for “account verification”. After making this payment, users find additional roadblocks to withdrawing funds or the site disappears.
3. What games does Fortuneplay.top offer?
Games offered include Crash, Dice, Slots, Plinko, Mines, Tower, and Coinflip. These games work normally when playing with the signup bonus, but winnings can never be withdrawn. The games are merely a facade to lend legitimacy to the scam operation.
4. Does Fortuneplay.top pay out winnings?
No, Fortuneplay.top does not pay out any legitimate withdraws to users. The site will come up with endless excuses why withdrawals cannot be processed, even after depositing hundreds in crypto for “verification”. Victims ultimately never recover any winnings or deposits.
5. How does Fortuneplay.top advertise the scam?
Promotional ads for Fortuneplay.top appear on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. The ads highlight large crypto signup bonuses and feature fake endorsements from celebrities like Elon Musk or Cristiano Ronaldo. This tricks unknowing users into believing the site is legitimate.
6. Are there any Fortuneplay.top victim stories?
Yes, many victims have shared stories online about depositing hundreds in crypto per Fortuneplay.top support’s withdrawal requests, but never getting paid out. Support simply stonewalls requests or eventually ghosts victims. The site has no intention to pay withdrawals.
7. Is Fortuneplay.top regulated or licensed?
No, Fortuneplay.top appears completely unregulated and unlicensed. It provides no documentation about its owners, location, or regulatory status. This lack of transparency is a clear red flag it is a scam operation.
8. How can I avoid the Fortuneplay.top scam?
Only use established, licensed crypto casinos with long operating histories. Research any new gambling platform thoroughly first. Be very wary of large crypto bonuses requiring a deposit to withdraw winnings. If it seems too good to be true, it always is.
9. What should I do if I already deposited at Fortuneplay.top?
Immediately stop sending the site any additional money. Document the scam with screenshots. Report the site to gambling regulators and social networks. Consult an attorney about potentially recovering losses. And post warnings to prevent more victims.
10. Is Fortuneplay.top the only crypto gambling scam?
No, Fortuneplay.top is one of many crypto casino scams operating. Always exercise caution when gambling online, especially with cryptocurrency. Only use trusted, licensed sites with transparency around owners, location, and regulatory oversight.
The Bottom Line
Sites like Fortuneplay.top highlight why caution is essential when gambling online, especially when crypto and promotions are involved. If an offer seems too good to be true, it very likely is. Always research any new gambling platform extensively first, rather than trusting claims of associations with celebrities like Elon Musk.
Gambling with cryptocurrency has many advantages, but also carries risks if using unregulated, anonymous sites based overseas with no accountability. Stick to established, licensed casinos that have a track record of fair play and actually paying out winnings. And never trust a site that demands additional payment just to access your existing account balance or winnings.
By following common sense precautions, you can enjoy the upside of crypto gambling safely. But you must watch out for scams like Fortuneplay.top that are simply intended to prey upon unsuspecting users. Be skeptical of any site promising something for nothing, do your homework first, and don’t let greed override good judgement.