The Alleged Poker Fraudster Dramatically Changes His Plea

In a dramatic turn of events, Daren Woods changes his plea. This alleged poker fraudster is facing trial in Sheffield, England on charges of 13 fraud offences, which allegedly took place between January 2007 and January 2012. Twenty-nine-year-old Woods initially pleaded not guilty but, part way through the trial, he changed his pleas to guilty on nine of the thirteen charges. His father Morteza Gharoon is also involved, with charges of money laundering linked to his son's dishonest activity. He also agreed to a guilty plea, reports Grimsby Telegraph newspaper. The investigation started in late 2011 and was led by Humberside Police's economic crime unit, with the help and co-operation of many well-known and reputable online gambling companies. A restraining order was served on the two men back in December 2011, freezing all their assets. The prosecution at Sheffield Crown Court claimed that Woods made improper use of internet poker sites by pretending to online gambling companies that he was somebody else. He illegally used other people's identities to gain commissions above what he would have been allowed to do if he had been using his real name. Woods disguise his online identity by purchasing a number of private virtual networks along with several different computers in a bid to “fool the system”, claims the prosecutor in the high-value trial. The recently changed pleas shorten the time needed to complete the case and sentencing on the father and son will now take place in December.