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Eight Men Arrested for Facilitating Illegal Betting

Internal Revenue Service investigators and other federal agents on Wednesday arrested eight men whom authorities suspect were facilitating illegal betting through a Costa Rica-based website, U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan announced.

Bay Area residents facing felony charges of conducting an illegal gambling business, conspiring to conduct an illegal gambling business, and money laundering, are Tony Ferretti of Pacifica; Dallas Affolter of Pacifica; Houshang 'Hoosh' Pourmohamad of Richmond; Ed Attansio of San Francisco; David Volkman of Belmont; Norm Foisy of Lafayette; and Ray Vargas of Fremont.

A Carson City, Nev. man, Jenaro R. 'Bob' Meijas, was also arrested.

The arrest took place mostly at residences around the greater Bay Area. According to the criminal indictment, the men arrested were 'agents' for a betting website at Bettheduck.com, which also maintained a toll-free number.

As 'agents', according to the indictment, the suspects allegedly collected bets and wagers and delivered the currency to 'runners' who brought the funds back to the website operator or operators in Costa Rica. The 'agents' were paid a commission based upon a percentage of their players' losses, officials said.

The illegal gambling charges carry maximum statutory penalties of five years in prison, and also a $250,000 fine. The money laundering charge could result in a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

The defendants are set to appear are set to appear before federal Magistrate Judge Wayne Brazil in Oakland.