Personal Data Stolen from Foxy Bingo

by Pat Levey

Foxy Bingo are in the limelight once again, but this time it is for all the wrong reasons. Online bingo players will be shocked to learn that someone who was innately connected with Foxy Bingo stole personal data relating to around 65,000 of their members back in 2008.

Thankfully it has been reported that this was test data, so it did lack bank account details, however it did contain Foxy Bingo players email address and other personal information. The culprit who stole this test data initially has not been found, but who they sold it (or passed it on to) – Mr Marc Ben-Ezra put it on the market for sale and he is thought to have profited from this fraud to the tune of £25,000.

When Cashcade (owners of Foxy Bingo) learned that personal data relating to their customers was for sale they launched an immediate investigation, which subsequently led them to Marc Ben-Ezra and he was working for a poker company at the time.

In fact Marc Ben-Ezra has been prolific within the gaming industry from many years, he also worked for online bingo site (Bingo Chest) which has now closed down – hmmm we wonder why!

When trying to sell the information Mr Ben-Ezra went under the alias of (Malcom Edwards) and apparently used his father in-laws email address (which is how he was traced).

Mr Marc Be-Ezra was found guilty of committing three offenses under (section 55) of the personal data act, but the joke of this story is he was not sent to jail or even ordered to do community service of any kind, but only fined a poultry £830.80 to cover fees and ordered to  pay Cashcade Limited £1,700.

What kind of message does that send out to unscrupulous people working in the gaming industry? It is ok to nick personal data and sell it on, because it is likely you will only end up with a measly fine and there are some big profits to be made! It is absolutely absurd and something needs to be done!!!!

Information Commissioner Officer, Christopher Graham, said “We still don’t have a punishment that fits the crime. The ICO continues to push for the government to activate the 2008 legislation that would allow courts to consider other penalties like community service orders or the threat of prison.”