NJ Woman claims Theft to avoid $10k Online Gambling Debt

After racking up almost $10k in online casino losses, Diana Zolla tried to erase her debt by claiming that somebody stole her identity and lost all of this money. But her fraudulent attempt was thwarted by good detective work by the New Jersey State Police.

The authorities investigated Zolla’s claims by looking over banking, online gaming and internet service provider (ISP) records. Upon completing their investigation, the police were able to conclude that it was indeed Zolla who lost $9,565 – not some criminal who stole her identity.

Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, spoke to Philly.com about the case. “People who gamble online may be tempted to fabricate an identity theft complaint in order to avoid paying their debt,” Fuentes said. “This criminal activity can only make a bad situation worse.”

Zolla was arrested and charged with Theft by Deception. The Jackson Township native has since been released from police custody pending an appearance at the Atlantic County Superior Court.

Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) director David Rebuck offered a deterrent for anybody else who plans on cheating New Jersey’s online gaming operation. “Suspicious transactions are thoroughly investigated, and as this case shows, attempts to defraud New Jersey casinos will not be tolerated,” Rebuck said.

Catching Zolla and getting some good press from the matter is definitely good for internet gaming everywhere in the United States. Moreover, it’s a blow to Sheldon Adelson and his Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling.

The group has taken a number of steps to destroy the image of online gaming and make people think that it’s not safe. One of their biggest points has been that cyber gambling doesn’t offer enough safeguards to prevent people from cheating. However, the fact that the DGE caught Zolla is a blow to Adelson’s cause.

Another person who can’t be happy that NJ internet gaming safeguards are working is James Thackston. A software security developer who’s been rejected by both casino corporations and online poker sites, Thackston was behind a Press of Atlantic City article that questioned the cyber safety of NJ internet gaming.

However, journalists uncovered that Thackston’s attempts to defame online gaming are just because certain companies wouldn’t pay him to test their software. And he’s since been bashed through multiple poker news outlets in the aftermath.