STATEMENT

Contact: Victoria Begay
(760) 920-1284
Email: [email protected]

The Bishop Paiute Tribal Council warns the public of a fake “Wanaaha Casino” online gaming scam.

Bishop, CA – The Bishop Paiute Tribal Council wants to let people in the community and the generalpublic know about a complicated online gaming fraud that is falsely using the name “Wanaaha Casino.” This scam is spreading false ads and social media posts that promise a “$1,500 welcome bonus” and apps that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. None of these things are authorized and could be dangerous.

Important Information About the Scam:
– Misleading Advertising: Scammers have made graphics with the California state seal and pictures of the Tribe’s Wanaaha Casino to make it look like online gaming is really starting up. – Links to fake downloads: These advertisements tell people to click on “Play Game” buttons that install software without permission. This could put devices at risk of malware or unwanted transactions. A fake Facebook page pretending to be Wanaaha Casino posted a “Notice” saying that it had nothing to do with online gaming. This announcement is part of the scam itself.

“We care about keeping our community’s personal and financial information secure,” said Tribal Chairman Steven Orihuela. “The State of California doesn’t permit online gambling, nor did the Bishop Paiute Tribal Council give permission for online gaming under the Wanaaha Casino name.” We ask that everyone stay alert and check the veracity of any offer before downloading software or giving out personal information.

Actions already taken:
1. Public Notice: The Tribal Council has sent out warnings through official channels, such as the Tribe’s website and social media accounts.
2. Law Enforcement Notification: Tribal and local authorities have been told about these fake materials and are looking into where they came from.
3. Reporting to the App Store: The Council has told Google and Apple to take down any app listings that aren’t allowed.

Advice to the Public:
– Don’t click on links that you didn’t ask for that say they lead to Wanaaha Casino online gaming.
– Do not download or install any app that claims it is from Wanaaha Casino. Check the Wanaaha’s official website (www.wanaaha.com ) or social media (www.facebook.com/wanaahacasino) accounts to ensure gambling promotions are authentic.

– Call the California Department of Justice’s gaming section at 1-800-GAMBLER if you get any strange messages.
Please call the Tribal Office at (760) 873-3584 if you need more information or want to report more fraudulent activity.