Two more residents of Danbury have been arrested in connection with a wide-ranging fraud investigation tied to the DraftKings platform, bringing the total number of individuals charged in the scheme to at least 17. The accused now face serious felony counts including identity theft, computer crime and larceny.
Alleged Fraud Details: Credit Cards, Casino Bets and Withdrawals
According to court filings, the alleged fraud spanned from August 4 to September 15, 2024, during which more than US $190,000 was reportedly laundered through multiple DraftKings accounts.
Investigators say the scheme involved stolen Visa cards — often linked to unrelated bank accounts — being used to fund DraftKings wallets. After placing casino-style wagers, the perpetrators withdrew the remaining funds to personal or associated bank accounts.
Geolocation data tied fraudulent activity to several Connecticut cities, including Danbury, Newtown, Meriden, New Britain and Hartford.
The Latest Accused: Who Are They and What They’re Charged With
- Christopher Wattree, 32, allegedly received over US $21,450 in fraudulent deposits using a Wells Fargo card not registered in his name — tied to his personal contact information and address. He faces first-degree identity theft, computer crime, and larceny charges.
- Bryan Jimenez, 30, is accused of depositing US $6,500 via a Visa card linked to another individual’s account, placing bets, then withdrawing winnings to a Bank of America account in his name. He has been charged with identity theft, second-degree computer crime, and third-degree larceny.
Both men entered not-guilty pleas in state Superior Court and were released on bond; their pretrial hearings are scheduled for January 12, 2026.
Broader Case: Two Dozen People, Multiple Cities, Explosive Fallout
The case is part of a large-scale crackdown that has already implicated a total of 17 individuals — mostly from Danbury, but also from Bethel, Newtown, New Britain and other nearby areas.
Authorities describe a coordinated network: stolen or fraudulently opened bank cards were used to funnel funds into gambling accounts, wagers were placed, and the proceeds were withdrawn to different bank accounts tied to the suspects. The money trail features Visa cards, Wells Fargo bank accounts, and multiple downstream withdrawals.
Because of the fraudulent deposits and subsequent charge-backs, the betting platform and financial institutions involved suffered losses — amplifying the seriousness of the allegations.
