Published online at 19/08/2010 08:00:00

http://www.manxradio.com/newsread.aspx?id=47002

American authorities have seized more than $13 million from two companies they say were involved with a Manx e-gaming website.

The online payment processors agreed to forfeit the cash to settle claims they were involved in money laundering.

Allied Wallet, Allied Systems and their owner Ahmad Khawaja appeared in a federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said the money was made illegally through gambling on the Pokerstars website.

It’s not the first time prosecutors in the United States have targeted payment providers involved in egaming.

In 2007, two founders of Manx-based ewallet firm Neteller were arrested in America and faced similar allegations.

In this latest case, prosecutors said money wire transfers promoted an illegal gambling business and were designed to conceal or disguise their true nature.

According to the FBI investigation, between January and May 2009, the cash was deposited in an account at Goldwater Bank, held by Allied Wallet.