Betting account in George Cottrell’s name received $9mn in crypto from unidentified sources

A betting account registered to George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster who has financially supported Nigel Farage, received approximately $8.8 million in cryptocurrency from unidentified sources via two crypto wallets. The funds were immediately used to bet on Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, resulting in a $4.46 million profit. Following the election, almost all the money was transferred out of the account to different wallets, raising questions about the origin of the funds and their ultimate recipients.

• A betting account in George Cottrell’s name received nearly $9 million in cryptocurrency from two separate wallets on Polymarket.
• The funds were used to bet on Donald Trump winning the US presidential election, yielding a $4.46 million profit.
• After the election, most of the money was transferred out to two different wallets, with the sources and ultimate recipients remaining unclear.
• Cottrell has been providing gifts, staff, security, transport, accommodation, and travel for Nigel Farage and Reform UK throughout 2024.
• Cottrell was previously charged in a ‘dark money’ laundering scheme and pleaded guilty to wire fraud, serving time in prison.
• The Polymarket account received funds from OKX crypto exchange and another wallet filled via ChangeNOW.
• Cottrell’s lawyers declined to comment on the beneficial owner of the wallet or the use of funds for Farage.
• A previous High Court claim alleged betting accounts in Cottrell’s name were used by other gamblers for millions in wagers.
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