FBI seizes Neteller money - US Peer-to-peer transactions blocked

Filed in archive on February 5, 2007

So you're thinking, "No big deal, I've got some money in Neteller, but I'll just move it onto my Neteller card and get it that way."

WRONG. Neteller debit card usage has been shut down for over a week to US customers.

"Okay," you think, "I've got a buddy in Canada. I can transfer the money to his Neteller account and he can Western Union it to me."

WRONG. AGAIN. According to a Neteller update site "US member accounts have been temporarily de-certified to revoke peer-to-peer capabilities. These accounts should be automatically re-certified in the next 10 business days, but Peer-to-Peer transfers will no longer be available to US members."

So why can't you get your money out of Neteller? USA Today buries the answer in the bottom of an article. "FBI Agent Neil Donovan says funds from Neteller are being held in court as potential evidence. Some customers may get their money back, but he did not provide a timetable."

So at least according to USA Today, the FBI has your Neteller money, and don't hold your breath on getting it back. This is just the latest step in a US crackdown on internet gambling that has led to arrests of citizens of other countries, but no Americans. Yet.