Racing bet scam hits AFL players

Campbell Brown is known to be one player owed money. Source: Herald Sun

EXCLUSIVE: DOZENS of AFL footballers are among investors feared to have lost up to $1 million in betting syndicates run by a smooth-talking horse racing industry figure.

Some of the biggest names in the game are furious after ploughing money into the punting schemes.

Gold Coast's Campbell Brown is known to be one of a number of players owed as much as $20,000.

As many as 50 players have been hit, including possibly a dozen each from St Kilda and West Coast owed money.

The biggest creditor, a star among the game's elite performers, is said to be down $200,000.

Michael Doughty, recently retired from Adelaide Crows, also is owed thousands of dollars.

Players and coaches nationwide are becoming increasingly frustrated by a lack of returns after being lured by the Queensland-based operator's promises.

As the scheme's operator moved to reassure investors, it emerged among those to sink in money were players from St Kilda, Melbourne, West Coast, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide and Fremantle.

Some investors believe bets were never laid on their behalf, generating speculation they were the victims of a scam.

Many players have given up hope they will get their money back.

Many were lured into the scheme after exchanging tips with the man that were often successful.

They were then advised to invest a sum of thousands of dollars, of which 10 per cent was gambled each week.

Their initial investments grew weekly, with detailed accounts information emailed to them each week.

But suspicions grew when some horses were listed in incorrect races, with many believing the bets were never laid.

Players say the operator has for months refused to answer calls, promising returns on specific dates then failing to deliver.

One former champion said some had lost six-figure sums.

"We started winning with him but we couldn't get our money back. After a while, we realised this just wasn't adding up," he said.

"I haven't got a cent yet. A couple of clubs had syndicates of 10 or 12 players. You just keep hearing more stories."

Mum and dad investors have also been left out of pocket.

One of them told the Herald Sun he and syndicate mates were down $50,000 and feared they would never see the money again.

"We just can't get the money. (The operator) won't take calls," the man said.

Another told a consumer rip-off website he had dropped almost $80,000.

"He plays the nice guy and I think that most people have just decided to let the money go," the investor said.

Some are understood to have contacted police and sought advice on how to recover their money through civil courts.

The operator last night said he was confident everyone could get their money by next week. He said the situation "hasn't been ideal", but he had inherited the situation from principals previously involved.

"I'm fully confident everyone will be fine," he said.

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