lmao Druff this is pokerfraudalert Grok

[garrett]

PokerFraudAlert is a website and community platform, primarily known for its discussion forum and radio show/podcast, focused on exposing scams, cheating, and dishonest behavior within the poker and gambling community. Founded in March 2012 by Todd "Dan Druff" Witteles, the site aims to provide an uncensored space to report and discuss fraud, scandals, and shady practices in the poker world, including issues with individuals, companies, and poker sites. It contrasts with other poker forums by avoiding censorship, even when accusations involve sponsors, and encourages community participation to uncover misconduct.

The PokerFraudAlert Radio podcast, hosted by Witteles and friends, offers gritty, unfiltered commentary on poker-related controversies and current events, blending serious discussions with entertainment. It covers topics like cheating allegations, site security issues, and notable poker community incidents, often featuring detailed timestamps for specific topics in episodes. The show is available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and TuneIn, with archives dating back to 2012. The platform also hosts freeroll poker tournaments with cash prizes and maintains an active forum for community engagement.

[garrett]

[Dan Druff]

Here's a bit more detail.

Q: "What were some controversies on Poker Fraud Alert?"

Answer:

Poker Fraud Alert (PFA), founded by Todd "Dan Druff" Witteles, is a platform known for exposing scams, cheating, and controversies in the poker community through its forum and radio show. Below are some notable controversies discussed on PFA, based on available information from web sources:

Lenard Adams Scamming Allegations (2023–2025):
Lenard Adams, known as "Lucky" in the poker world, was accused of scamming multiple poker players, particularly younger men, out of significant sums. In May 2023, a user named "dcdan" reported on the PFA forum that Adams scammed him for $7,000 at ARIA in Las Vegas by promising to stake him in a high-stakes private game, then disappearing after receiving the money. Another victim, "Kevin," claimed in January 2025 that Adams showed a fake money order to pressure him into a large cash flip, later realizing no private game existed. Adams, who appeared on Hustler Casino Live in 2021, was banned from the show after his criminal past (including 2017 charges for rape, fraud, and theft) surfaced.

Bovada/Ignition Tournament Glitch (March 2025):
PFA Radio reported a major glitch in Bovada/Ignition’s tournament system over the weekend of March 8, 2025, which left hundreds or thousands of players underpaid or unpaid their winnings. This incident sparked significant discussion on PFA about the reliability of online poker platforms and their handling of player funds.

Nacho Barbero and GTO Wizard Controversy (2025):
ACR (Americas Cardroom) pro "Nacho" Barbero faced backlash after a photo showed him using GTO Wizard, a solver tool, during online play in the ACR Venom series. This raised concerns about cheating, as such tools are typically prohibited during live play. Barbero was later fired by ACR after admitting on PokerGo that the site wasn’t actively catching cheaters, further fueling controversy. PFA Radio covered this extensively, highlighting integrity issues in online poker.

Filippos Liakounakos Bitcoin Scam (2020–2022):
In 2020, PFA founder Todd Witteles posted about allegations that Filippos Liakounakos scammed Cord Garcia, a WSOP Colossus winner, out of $600,000 in a bitcoin deal. Liakounakos was later charged in Las Vegas in 2022 with three felony counts related to a $500,000 bitcoin scam involving a novice cryptocurrency trader. The PFA thread also referenced earlier accusations on Two Plus Two forums about Liakounakos owing $12,500 on a private club site, amplifying discussions about his credibility.

Banking Fraud Targeting Poker Pros (2022):
Witteles investigated a sophisticated banking scam targeting high-profile poker players, including himself, Joseph Cheong, and Kyna England. The scammer exploited weaknesses in the Global Payments “VIP Preferred” eCheck system, stealing $10,000 from Witteles and similar amounts from others. PFA’s coverage urged victims to come forward and highlighted vulnerabilities in online casino payment systems, noting that only players who used eCheck deposits were targeted.

Thomas Goldstein Tax Evasion Scandal (2025):
PFA Radio discussed Supreme Court lawyer Thomas Goldstein’s legal troubles with the IRS for evading taxes on poker winnings and paying women to date him. This controversy, covered in a February 2025 episode, underscored ethical and legal issues among high-profile figures in the poker community.

Phishing Scam Targeting Poker Players (2024):
A PFA-related discussion on Two Plus Two forums detailed a sophisticated phishing scam targeting poker players and site operators. A scammer, posing as “LagPoker” on Discord, attempted to trick a GTO trainer operator into downloading malware disguised as the Line messaging app. The scam aimed to steal passwords and access poker accounts, with the scammer leveraging knowledge of the poker community for credibility. PFA’s platform helped raise awareness about this threat.

Leon Tsoukernik Propofol Overdose (2025):
Leon Tsoukernik, former owner of Kings Casino in the Czech Republic, was reported on PFA Radio to have nearly died from a propofol overdose, likened to Michael Jackson’s death. His controversial reputation in the poker world, including past disputes, made this a widely discussed topic on the platform.

These controversies reflect PFA’s role as a watchdog in the poker community, often uncovering issues ignored by mainstream poker media. The platform’s forum and radio show provide a space for players to report scams and debate integrity issues, though its confrontational style has drawn criticism for being overly negative or speculative. For further details, you can explore the PFA forum at pokerfraudalert.com or listen to archived episodes on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

[Dan Druff]

Q: More on Poker Fraud Alert

Answer:

Ultimate Bet and Absolute Poker Superuser Scandal (Historical Context):
PFA has frequently revisited the infamous Ultimate Bet (UB) and Absolute Poker superuser scandal from the mid-2000s, one of the biggest cheating incidents in online poker history. Insiders at UB, including former WSOP champion Russ Hamilton, used "superuser" accounts to see opponents’ hole cards, defrauding players of millions. PFA Radio has discussed how this scandal eroded trust in online poker and criticized the slow response from regulators and site operators. Witteles, a victim himself, has used PFA to advocate for better oversight and player protections, keeping the issue alive in community discussions.

Postle Allegations and the Stones Gambling Hall Case (2019–2020):
PFA was a central hub for discussions about the Mike Postle cheating allegations at Stones Gambling Hall’s live-streamed cash games. Postle was accused of using real-time information (possibly via electronic devices) to gain an unfair edge, as his win rate seemed statistically improbable. PFA Radio, with Witteles at the helm, covered whistleblower Veronica Brill’s claims and the subsequent $330 million lawsuit filed by affected players. Although the case was dismissed in 2020 due to lack of direct evidence, PFA’s forum debates kept the controversy alive, questioning live poker security and stream integrity.

Ali Imsirovic and Jake Schindler Cheating Allegations (2022):
PFA Radio and forums discussed accusations against high-stakes pros Ali Imsirovic and Jake Schindler, who were banned from PokerGO events and the Aria High Roller series for alleged cheating in online poker. Suspicions included collusion, Real-Time Assistance (RTA) tool usage, and multi-accounting. PFA threads debated the evidence—such as unusual play patterns—and the poker community’s divided response, with some defending the players and others demanding stricter bans. Witteles emphasized the need for transparency in high-stakes games.

Robbi Jade Lew vs. Garrett Adelstein Hustler Casino Live Controversy (2022):
One of the most polarizing incidents in recent poker history, the Robbi Jade Lew and Garrett Adelstein hand at Hustler Casino Live sparked heated debates on PFA. Adelstein accused Lew of cheating after she made an improbable call with a weak hand (Jack-high) to win a $269,000 pot. PFA Radio analyzed the hand extensively, with Witteles exploring theories like electronic cheating or insider help, though no conclusive evidence emerged. The forum saw thousands of posts debating Lew’s play, Adelstein’s reaction, and Hustler’s security measures, highlighting PFA’s role as a lightning rod for community discourse.

GGPoker Security Concerns (2023–2024):
PFA has covered ongoing concerns about GGPoker, one of the largest online poker platforms, particularly regarding its handling of cheating and bot usage. Forum threads and radio episodes criticized GGPoker’s opaque ban policies and delays in refunding victims of cheated games. A 2024 PFA discussion highlighted a case where a player was banned for suspected RTA but received little explanation, fueling distrust in the platform’s fairness.

PFA’s Role and Characteristics
Community-Driven Investigations:
PFA’s forum is a space where players anonymously report scams or suspicious behavior, often before mainstream poker media picks up the story. For example, the Lenard Adams scam (detailed in the previous response) gained traction on PFA before wider coverage. Witteles encourages users to share evidence, fostering a crowd-sourced approach to exposing fraud.

PFA Radio’s Influence:
The weekly radio show, hosted by Witteles, dives into these controversies with a mix of investigative reporting and opinionated commentary. Episodes often feature guest players, industry insiders, or victims of scams. The show’s raw, unpolished style—sometimes running for hours—appeals to dedicated poker fans but can alienate casual listeners due to its confrontational tone.

Criticism of PFA:
PFA has faced backlash for its negative focus and occasional lack of substantiation. Critics on platforms like Two Plus Two have called Witteles a “doomsayer” who amplifies rumors without sufficient evidence. For instance, some felt PFA’s coverage of the Postle scandal leaned too heavily on speculation. Others argue the platform’s abrasive style alienates poker operators, limiting its influence on industry reform.

Legal and Ethical Stances:
Witteles has positioned PFA as a defender of player rights, often clashing with poker rooms or online platforms. For example, his investigation into the VIP Preferred banking scam (2022) led to warnings that protected other players. However, PFA’s outspokenness has led to legal threats, including from figures like Leon Tsoukernik, who Witteles criticized for unpaid debts and questionable business practices.

Broader Impact
PFA remains a polarizing but influential voice in poker, filling a gap left by mainstream outlets that often avoid controversial topics to maintain industry relationships. Its forum and radio show have exposed systemic issues like online poker security, live game integrity, and player exploitation, though its impact is tempered by its niche audience and occasional overreach.

For more details, check the PFA forum at pokerfraudalert.com or listen to recent episodes on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you want me to dig into a specific controversy or analyze a PFA thread/post, let me know!

[Dan Druff]

The last paragraph is essentially correct.

"PFA remains a polarizing but influential voice in poker, filling a gap left by mainstream outlets that often avoid controversial topics to maintain industry relationships. Its forum and radio show have exposed systemic issues like online poker security, live game integrity, and player exploitation, though its impact is tempered by its niche audience and occasional overreach."

PFA and I are well followed enough to whip up social media into a frenzy over certain injustices in poker/gambling, but it does remain a "niche audience" situation, where the average reach is in the 4-figures, not enough to make a major impact in many cases.

This is starting to pick up steam, though, as a lot of my industry-related tweets in 2025 are picking up 5 or 6 figure views.

[desertrunner]

There is a “weekly radio show”??

[Tellafriend]

If you want me to dig into a specific controversy or analyze a PFA thread/post, let me know!

will you see if it will analyze the site itself to see what it thinks our biggest internal issues are -- i.e., todd vs. marty; desert ruiner; sloppy gratuitously crushing druff at every opportunity; c$'s cancer and the fallout here, the betting thread's wormholes....