Florida man pleads guilty to defrauding bettors through gambling websites

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Florida man pled guilty today to wire fraud in connection with his online betting scheme.

According to court documents, Phillip James Krnyaich, 43, of Clermont, is a professional gambler who operated as a “bookie,” using WAGERHUB888.COM and other websites to manage his customers’ bets. Krnyaich purchased “sales leads” spreadsheets from an entity named “CapperTek” that contained the names and contact information for thousands of individuals Krnyaich contacted to advertise his gambling business.

From April 2020 through April 2023, Krnyaich sought out individuals interested in online gambling, managed their bets, and then, on numerous occasions, failed to pay them after they attempted to withdraw their funds. When those individuals sought return of their funds, Krnyaich, using aliases and multiple email addresses, provided false reasons for failing to pay. In some cases, Krnyaich consistently solicited additional money under the false pretense that providing additional funds would allow him to return bettors’ previously provided funds. Krnyaich used bettor funds to make personal purchases.

In total, Krnyaich fraudulently obtained over $550,000 in connection with his various gambling websites.

Krnyaich is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29 and faces up to 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Ray is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-57.