Was watching the Arrow match and halfway through the cast the casters got news that even though arrow was winning, they would be disqualifed from the summit 2.
322 is real boys
The match-fixing scandal
Around five days ago, screenshots of conversations between Michael Vincent Vallejos and Jonathan Radores made rounds on Social Media. The images portray the two talking about the then upcoming MSI-Mineski match, a non-bearing game (as both teams have no more chance to advance) in the Starladder 10 SEA qualifiers. Vallejos is the owner of the one of the largest and arguably the most successful Philippine Dota 2 trading group named ‘MyDota2Community’, while Radores was a former pro player. The latter was involved in a scamming incident some six months ago, wherein he used the Steam account of Julius ‘Julz’ De Leon to complete a deal involving Dota 2 items and cash.
Among the earlier images were these conversation pictures between Vallejos and Radores (1, 2), where the two talked about what supposedly will happen during the game. MSI captain JyC is supposedly having a ‘mispick’, or a bad draft, and they will also supposedly let Mineski pick Tinker. Another picture shows that JyC was asking PHP 40,000 (892~ USD) for that game. Mineski was indeed able to get the Tinker while MSI went with a quad-melee lineup. Interestingly, MSI was actually dominating until they were ratted by the Lycan and Tinker late into the game.
All the images were sent and/or uploaded using anonymous Facebook accounts. While the majority reacted violently regarding the matter, a number of reasonable individuals also questioned the integrity of these images. Among those, are of course, the two involved organizations in Mineski and MSI.
Those doubts were to be quelled, however, as evidence started to pile up. GosuGamers reported suspicious betting activities on that match, as well as the Mineski-Immunity match. New screenshots also resurfaced, and a video of someone skimming through Radores’ Facebook account was also shown. Radores claims (and for a change, it definitely appears that this was the case here) that his account was hacked, but he never questioned the content of the messages on his inbox.
Somewhere between those happenings, both MSI and Mineski retracted their statement of full trust to their team (particularly MSI), and they switched into an investigative stand (MSI, Mineski). They also placed the alleged involved members (the whole team for MSI, three members for Mineski) into preventive suspension, and that these players will not be allowed to join any online or offline tournaments until further notice.
Around this time, this editor was able to verify that PHP 40,000 (892~ USD) was indeed paid to MSI for them to throw their game against Mineski, and that Mineski threw their game against Immunity. Those were confirmed through several concerned individuals who sent uncensored screenshots to him, and these people were told first-hand that these things had taken place.
Between all the circulating screenshots regarding the matter, there were a total of three games that were questioned - all of which are non-bearing games Starladder 10 SEA qualifier games. The matches are Mineski-MSI (25 Sept), MSI-Awake (26 Sept) and Mineski-Immunity (27 Sept).
The confession and the aftermath
Nearly two days ago, the eight players in question approached Dexter Ancheta, who was acting as the neutral party between MSI and Mineski managements The players have admitted their involvement on the match-fixing incident (mski.paseo, mski.jacko, mski.jvn, evogt.JyC, evogt.YND, evogt.Chin, evogt.BYB, evogt.jotan). Upon forwarding their apology letter, all of them also effectively resigned from their respective teams.
Vallejos was mum all throughout the whole incident, and his only statement was posted on his trading group’s page the day of the player’s confessions. He was surprisingly unremorseful and understandably very upset after he was threw under the bus, and his post became an avenue of hate messages until he took down the page.
Trading and betting site Dota2Lounge also investigated the issue after they got wind of it on their subreddit. Not that any more evidence is needed after the earlier screenshots and the letter of apology, the betting history of the players supported the issue. Three MSI players’ betting history showed that they have placed a bet against their own team (1 ,2 ,3), and one Mineski player’s was caught doing the same.
Vallejos’ betting history was also checked, and it indeed showed him betting on the fixed matches. There were three of them, but interestingly, he only had bets on two matches from those previously mentioned (This may imply that he was unaware of the MSI-Awake match-fixing). The issue has branched further anew, and its not about the poaching and revenge issues.
Enter Malaysian team and TI4 SEA qualifier winner, Arrow Gaming.
Vallejos has placed large bets using multiple accounts on Arrow Gaming (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) on their Synergy League Group stage match against Australian team Can’t Say Wips last 13 October, the same day the initial screenshots of this issue first surfaced. While CSW has been on a streak heading into the match, Arrow was still the favorite. Synergy league has a forgiving format, with the top four teams of the eight-team group advancing into the next stage.
That match was further investigated, and it has shown a number of new accounts which has high bets on this match and the several fixed matches that was mentioned earlier (1 ,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,6). However, the most telling of the bets were the ones made on the accounts of ddz’s girlfriend, as well as Lance’s girlfriend (1, 2). Something which may or may not be related is the latter betting for Immunity against Mineski.
There was a screenshot of a conversation between Vallejos and Radores, where the former said he has many other teams ‘by their throat’, implying that they are also under his control. However, investigation regarding the bets shows nothing of the sort, or at least nothing related to this case. First Departure, who has been experiencing a slump, expressed their feelings about the matter through their Facebook page.
The involved Philippine players, aside from their still imposed Mineski ban, wa also banned by TNC ESports, a local tournament organizer. They also lost their slot on The Summit 2’s Asian qualifiers. Arrow Gaming, on the other hand, may follow similar treatment if these proof are found as conclusive. They are currently taking part in multiple tournaments, which includes Synergy League, MSI Beat It and The Summit 2. D2L is most likely going to take a stand to not cover any games in the near future of the involved teams.
These bet screenshots were provided by Dota2Lounge. Asked whether they think that the public’s easy access to betting high value items was suspect of this incident or if they think it would have happened otherwise, D2L admin Honey has this to say:
Tough question. (The answer is) Yes and no. I think it is a factor that lead to the idea of creating this drama. But at the same time, people with huge power and bad intentions will always find a way to gain, regardless of morals or thought of others. So, I think this was somewhat inevitable regardless of D2L or not.
While these findings would surely discourage any other teams who might be planning on undertaking such a treacherous action, things like this may all we be inevitable given the continuous rise of eSports, the exponential increase of tournaments and matches and the relative ease of achieving it. Honey gives a reassuring statement to deter people who has malignant intentions.
We're constantly keeping an eye on what's happening with bets, like suspicious bets, huge payouts, and whatnot. At the same time, upsets are a fairly common occurrence. However, when drama like this happens, we are more than willing to get to the bottom of it and provide as much information that is needed.
Dota2Lounge, by far the largest Dota 2 betting site in terms of the number of bets made, introduced value betting last 22 May of this year. This increased the actual amount of what people can bet while still maintaining the four-item bet limit, a big change from its old system of straight up counting the waged items (which can be a common, an uncommon, a rare or a key). The highest-value which can be used to bet right now is a Standard Scythe of Vyse, which would amount to a value of more or less $240 when four of this is wagered in a match.
Was watching the Arrow match and halfway through the cast the casters got news that even though arrow was winning, they would be disqualifed from the summit 2.
322 is real boys
The match-fixing scandal
Around five days ago, screenshots of conversations between Michael Vincent Vallejos and Jonathan Radores made rounds on Social Media. The images portray the two talking about the then upcoming MSI-Mineski match, a non-bearing game (as both teams have no more chance to advance) in the Starladder 10 SEA qualifiers. Vallejos is the owner of the one of the largest and arguably the most successful Philippine Dota 2 trading group named ‘MyDota2Community’, while Radores was a former pro player. The latter was involved in a scamming incident some six months ago, wherein he used the Steam account of Julius ‘Julz’ De Leon to complete a deal involving Dota 2 items and cash.
Among the earlier images were these conversation pictures between Vallejos and Radores (1, 2), where the two talked about what supposedly will happen during the game. MSI captain JyC is supposedly having a ‘mispick’, or a bad draft, and they will also supposedly let Mineski pick Tinker. Another picture shows that JyC was asking PHP 40,000 (892~ USD) for that game. Mineski was indeed able to get the Tinker while MSI went with a quad-melee lineup. Interestingly, MSI was actually dominating until they were ratted by the Lycan and Tinker late into the game.
All the images were sent and/or uploaded using anonymous Facebook accounts. While the majority reacted violently regarding the matter, a number of reasonable individuals also questioned the integrity of these images. Among those, are of course, the two involved organizations in Mineski and MSI.
Those doubts were to be quelled, however, as evidence started to pile up. GosuGamers reported suspicious betting activities on that match, as well as the Mineski-Immunity match. New screenshots also resurfaced, and a video of someone skimming through Radores’ Facebook account was also shown. Radores claims (and for a change, it definitely appears that this was the case here) that his account was hacked, but he never questioned the content of the messages on his inbox.
Somewhere between those happenings, both MSI and Mineski retracted their statement of full trust to their team (particularly MSI), and they switched into an investigative stand (MSI, Mineski). They also placed the alleged involved members (the whole team for MSI, three members for Mineski) into preventive suspension, and that these players will not be allowed to join any online or offline tournaments until further notice.
Around this time, this editor was able to verify that PHP 40,000 (892~ USD) was indeed paid to MSI for them to throw their game against Mineski, and that Mineski threw their game against Immunity. Those were confirmed through several concerned individuals who sent uncensored screenshots to him, and these people were told first-hand that these things had taken place.
Between all the circulating screenshots regarding the matter, there were a total of three games that were questioned - all of which are non-bearing games Starladder 10 SEA qualifier games. The matches are Mineski-MSI (25 Sept), MSI-Awake (26 Sept) and Mineski-Immunity (27 Sept).
The confession and the aftermath
Nearly two days ago, the eight players in question approached Dexter Ancheta, who was acting as the neutral party between MSI and Mineski managements The players have admitted their involvement on the match-fixing incident (mski.paseo, mski.jacko, mski.jvn, evogt.JyC, evogt.YND, evogt.Chin, evogt.BYB, evogt.jotan). Upon forwarding their apology letter, all of them also effectively resigned from their respective teams.
Vallejos was mum all throughout the whole incident, and his only statement was posted on his trading group’s page the day of the player’s confessions. He was surprisingly unremorseful and understandably very upset after he was threw under the bus, and his post became an avenue of hate messages until he took down the page.
Trading and betting site Dota2Lounge also investigated the issue after they got wind of it on their subreddit. Not that any more evidence is needed after the earlier screenshots and the letter of apology, the betting history of the players supported the issue. Three MSI players’ betting history showed that they have placed a bet against their own team (1 ,2 ,3), and one Mineski player’s was caught doing the same.
Vallejos’ betting history was also checked, and it indeed showed him betting on the fixed matches. There were three of them, but interestingly, he only had bets on two matches from those previously mentioned (This may imply that he was unaware of the MSI-Awake match-fixing). The issue has branched further anew, and its not about the poaching and revenge issues.
Enter Malaysian team and TI4 SEA qualifier winner, Arrow Gaming.
Vallejos has placed large bets using multiple accounts on Arrow Gaming (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) on their Synergy League Group stage match against Australian team Can’t Say Wips last 13 October, the same day the initial screenshots of this issue first surfaced. While CSW has been on a streak heading into the match, Arrow was still the favorite. Synergy league has a forgiving format, with the top four teams of the eight-team group advancing into the next stage.
That match was further investigated, and it has shown a number of new accounts which has high bets on this match and the several fixed matches that was mentioned earlier (1 ,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 ,6). However, the most telling of the bets were the ones made on the accounts of ddz’s girlfriend, as well as Lance’s girlfriend (1, 2). Something which may or may not be related is the latter betting for Immunity against Mineski.
There was a screenshot of a conversation between Vallejos and Radores, where the former said he has many other teams ‘by their throat’, implying that they are also under his control. However, investigation regarding the bets shows nothing of the sort, or at least nothing related to this case. First Departure, who has been experiencing a slump, expressed their feelings about the matter through their Facebook page.
The involved Philippine players, aside from their still imposed Mineski ban, wa also banned by TNC ESports, a local tournament organizer. They also lost their slot on The Summit 2’s Asian qualifiers. Arrow Gaming, on the other hand, may follow similar treatment if these proof are found as conclusive. They are currently taking part in multiple tournaments, which includes Synergy League, MSI Beat It and The Summit 2. D2L is most likely going to take a stand to not cover any games in the near future of the involved teams.
These bet screenshots were provided by Dota2Lounge. Asked whether they think that the public’s easy access to betting high value items was suspect of this incident or if they think it would have happened otherwise, D2L admin Honey has this to say:
Tough question. (The answer is) Yes and no. I think it is a factor that lead to the idea of creating this drama. But at the same time, people with huge power and bad intentions will always find a way to gain, regardless of morals or thought of others. So, I think this was somewhat inevitable regardless of D2L or not.
While these findings would surely discourage any other teams who might be planning on undertaking such a treacherous action, things like this may all we be inevitable given the continuous rise of eSports, the exponential increase of tournaments and matches and the relative ease of achieving it. Honey gives a reassuring statement to deter people who has malignant intentions.
We're constantly keeping an eye on what's happening with bets, like suspicious bets, huge payouts, and whatnot. At the same time, upsets are a fairly common occurrence. However, when drama like this happens, we are more than willing to get to the bottom of it and provide as much information that is needed.
Dota2Lounge, by far the largest Dota 2 betting site in terms of the number of bets made, introduced value betting last 22 May of this year. This increased the actual amount of what people can bet while still maintaining the four-item bet limit, a big change from its old system of straight up counting the waged items (which can be a common, an uncommon, a rare or a key). The highest-value which can be used to bet right now is a Standard Scythe of Vyse, which would amount to a value of more or less $240 when four of this is wagered in a match.