Post by Debs on May 21, 2007 10:06:51 GMT 1
BETS GANGS TO FIX BIG BRO
21/05/07
TERRIFIED Big Brother bosses fear sinister Far East gambling syndicates are plotting to fix the show.
Ruthless betting rings reckon they can make £100million by rigging eviction votes to get the winner they want on the show, which starts on May 30.
Betting industry insiders have revealed that the Asian underworld gangs have been taking an interest in Big Brother since Bollywood babe Shilpa Shetty, 31, won the celebrity version earlier this year.
And producers could find themselves powerless to stop the crooks muscling in on the reality TV hit.
Sources say the crime bosses will stop at nothing to rake in a fortune and are prepared to wipe out anyone who stands in their way. The cartels even have access to technology which can be used to hijack the public vote.
They have already been linked to the mysterious death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer in March, amid claims that the Brit, 58, was about to blow the whistle on match-fixing scams.
A betting industry source warned: “This is a very real threat and it could ruin the whole show.
“All the indications are that these syndicates are getting ready to lump some serious money on Big Brother.
“Shilpa’s success brought it to their attention and they see a clear opportunity to hijack the show for their own ends.
“They have the technology to press one button to cast a thousand votes.
“It’s a nightmare prospect for Big Brother and would reduce the show to a complete sham.”
A BB spokeswoman insisted last night: “Our voting system is independently adjudicated by the Electoral Reform Society, who also oversee the country’s electoral system.”
Daily Star
21/05/07
TERRIFIED Big Brother bosses fear sinister Far East gambling syndicates are plotting to fix the show.
Ruthless betting rings reckon they can make £100million by rigging eviction votes to get the winner they want on the show, which starts on May 30.
Betting industry insiders have revealed that the Asian underworld gangs have been taking an interest in Big Brother since Bollywood babe Shilpa Shetty, 31, won the celebrity version earlier this year.
And producers could find themselves powerless to stop the crooks muscling in on the reality TV hit.
Sources say the crime bosses will stop at nothing to rake in a fortune and are prepared to wipe out anyone who stands in their way. The cartels even have access to technology which can be used to hijack the public vote.
They have already been linked to the mysterious death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer in March, amid claims that the Brit, 58, was about to blow the whistle on match-fixing scams.
A betting industry source warned: “This is a very real threat and it could ruin the whole show.
“All the indications are that these syndicates are getting ready to lump some serious money on Big Brother.
“Shilpa’s success brought it to their attention and they see a clear opportunity to hijack the show for their own ends.
“They have the technology to press one button to cast a thousand votes.
“It’s a nightmare prospect for Big Brother and would reduce the show to a complete sham.”
A BB spokeswoman insisted last night: “Our voting system is independently adjudicated by the Electoral Reform Society, who also oversee the country’s electoral system.”
Daily Star