The president of Coljuegos, Marco Emilio Hincapié, has issued a crucial warning to the online gaming and sports betting sector: cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to impersonate and trick people, mainly in the United States, into believing they have won the Baloto jackpot. This modus operandi seeks to defraud gamblers by requesting pre-payments to unlock supposed million-dollar prizes, a practice that jeopardises trust in the gambling industry and the security of users.
Baloto is an online lotto-style game of chance, where participants wager on accumulated million-dollar prizes by matching five numbers and a super jackpot. It is the most emblematic lottery in Colombia, with more than 23 years of history, a wide national presence and a substantial impact on the gaming sector, contributing significant resources to public health.
Deception mechanism
According to Hincapié, the scammers contact the victims by phone at specific numbers, informing them that they have won the Baloto jackpot. However, to be able to collect the money, they request an advance payment of around $18,000 American dollars. This figure represents a considerable amount that many people may be willing to pay in the hope of receiving a real prize.
Most worryingly, these criminals not only use phone calls but have also developed fake websites pretending to be official, where victims are induced to make transfers and even travel to collect the prize in fictitious offices. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence to imitate the voice of the president of Coljuegos adds a sophisticated level to the fraud, increasing the apparent credibility of the scam.
Role of Coljuegos and recommendations for gamblers
Coljuegos, as the regulator of gambling in Colombia, does not make prize payments or charge for them, but supervises and controls the authorised operators. Marco Emilio Hincapié emphasised that prize payments correspond exclusively to the official operators of games of chance, and that any communication requesting money in advance to release a prize should be considered suspicious.
To protect themselves, gamblers should verify any alleged prize through the official channels of the operators and Coljuegos. The entity has made available an email and a telephone line for queries and complaints and recommends constantly checking official websites before carrying out any prize-related procedure.
Impact and industry response
This case of phishing and fraud with fake Baloto prizes reflects a growing challenge for the online gaming industry, which must address not only regulation and competition but also cybersecurity and user protection. The “new” techniques, such as the use of artificial intelligence to imitate voices and create fraudulent websites, force operators and regulators to strengthen their prevention and public education mechanisms.
Coljuegos has already filed criminal complaints for the authorities to investigate and sanction those responsible, in addition to providing legal support to the affected victims. This episode underlines the need for the sector to reinforce transparency and communication to prevent users from falling into scams that affect the reputation and trust in legal gambling.
The alert launched by Coljuegos is a call for constant vigilance and shared responsibility between regulators, operators and players to maintain a safe and trustworthy environment in the world of online gambling and gaming.
This article was first published in Spanish on 8 May 2025.
