BackgammonMasters warns players to stay away from false usernames

International online backgammon site, BackgammonMasters.com has announced that the recent media coverage over the case of 26-year-old Moroccan engineer, Fouad Mourtada has resulted in a new awareness over the use of false usernames.

Moroccan Mourtada was found guilty of opening a fake Facebook account under the name of Moulay Rachid, the Moroccan Prince and has since been sentenced to three years imprisonment. However, Mourtada was released after serving only 43 days of his sentence due to pressure from human rights organisations and petitioners.

Nevertheless, BackgammonMasters.com stated that online businesses are currently on high alert following this case. It has brought to light the widespread use of false usernames. BackgammonMasters goes on to explain that their Mexican site found users with the names of other celebrities including Prince William and Madonna, all found to be false.

"We've seen a trend in the industry for people to register popular names, or 'gold usernames' as they are called. Some include 'backgammonking', 'pokerking', 'blackjack-king' and other popular celebrity names," said a spokesperson for BackgammonMasters.com.

"We see people in game forums even buying and selling these usernames. For these people its status, kind of like having a custom license plate. As long as the games are for fun, we are not concerned."

BackgammonMasters.com also added that although 'gold username' players have so far only played in poker, blackjack, backgammon and other fun online money games, Internet gaming companies are beginning to take more notice to them following the Facebook case.

"This is a cultural problem; this is the first time a Moroccan poses as a very important personality on the Internet," said Ali Ammar, the lawyer for Mourtada. "This is already a common practice in European countries."
So make sure you are not using a false name if you plan to maintain your integrity online.

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