Customers stranded as Russian hackers take over Bet9ja website

Popular sports betting website, Bet9ja, has been hacked, shutting out users and leaving customers apprehensive about their investments.
Since Wednesday morning, many customers have been complaining of their inability to access their accounts on the gaming website.
The company in a statement Thursday evening acknowledged the challenge while allaying customers’ fears and assuring the safety of their funds.
“Just like so many market-leading global organisations, Bet9ja recently became a victim of a sophisticated criminal cyber-attack, which is restricting your access to our platform,” the company said in the statement. “We take this matter extremely seriously. Our priority is protecting our customers and you have our assurances that your accounts and all your funds are safe.”
Chairman of KC Gaming Networks Limited, owners of Bet9ja, Kunle Soname, confirmed to Peoples Gazette that the company’s website was under a cyber-attack by a Russian hacking group.
Mr Soname confirmed that the hackers have demanded a staggering amount of money to be paid in bitcoin as ransom. The betting supremo, however, assured that the website would be back online on Friday, March 8.
He also debunked claims that the company absconded to avoid paying large winnings to customers who won recently, stating that all winnings will be paid once services are fully restored.
KC Gaming Networks Limited has escalated the ongoing cyberattack on the Bet9ja website to all the relevant federal authorities.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Opinion
Rudolf Okonkwo: Is Bola Tinubu among those afraid of Femi Gbajabiamila?
The larger question is what it says about our democracy when so many people feel unable to discuss openly those who wield enormous influence behind the scenes.

NationWide
2027: Oyedepo urges Christians to secure PVCs, says leadership shapes destiny
He said Christians should see their PVCs as instruments of change and national transformation.

Anti-Corruption
Gbajabiamila Bribery Scandal: Tinubu knows his staff sell appointments, says SDP presidential candidate
The presidential candidate described Mr Tinubu’s government as a clearing and forwarding government.

Economy
Restoration of Gbarain power plant begins
The project targets improved electricity supply nationwide.

NationWide
Lawyers seek non-custodial sentencing, speedy trials to decongest prisons
Lawyers called for comprehensive criminal justice reform to decongest correctional centres nationwide.

Africa
ICRC DG advocates PPPs to bridge West Africa’s infrastructure gap
Mr Ewalefoh said governments across the region could no longer rely solely on public resources to provide critical infrastructure.





