Again at the Star Casino in Australia, this one for what seems to be at least $200,000, although the amount is not clear in the reports I have read. Baccarat scam involving casino employees have been on the rise in Australia, but at least this time Star surveillance inspectors seem to have caught this one quickly as it was happening, but I don't how many cheating sessions went on before the last one. Judging by hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and chips seized by police during subsequent raids on the two suspects' homes, one a baccarat dealer, the other a player, the cheat scam survived a few sessions before the bust.
This article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald:
Two men, including a former employee, have been charged over their alleged involvement in a betting scam at Sydney's Star casino that reaped thousands of dollars, including casino chips valued at nearly $170,000.
Earlier this month, the organised crime squad’s casino and racing investigation unit commenced an investigation under Strike Force Antree following reports two men were involved in corrupt betting during a game of baccarat.
Police will allege that, in a private member's gaming suite at the casino, former employee Hieu Duc Lam was involved in dealing cards during three games of baccarat that Ziyi Liu played. It is alleged the two men communicated with each other in order to win.
Following inquiries, police arrested Mr Liu, 27, at a casino car park in Sydney and a Mr Lam, 35, at a home at Canley Heights in Sydney's west, about 6.20pm on September 9.
A search warrant was executed at the Canley Heights home, where officers allegedly seized more than $270,000 in cash, $2000 in US currency and electronic storage devices.
A second search warrant was executed at a unit at Ryde, where investigators allegedly seized more than $300,000 cash and casino chips valued at $169,000.
Mr Liu was taken to Day Street police station and charged with three counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.
He appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, where strict conditional bail is to continue. The matter will be before the same court on November 11.
Mr Lam was taken to Fairfield police station and also charged with three counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.
He appeared at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday, where the matter was adjourned to Downing Centre Local Court for November 11.
Further charges are expected to be laid against the men.
"These types of things were picked up fairly quickly with the systems and processes at the casino and the police investigated that, and gathered the evidence to put these men before the court," organised crime squad’s casino and racing investigation unit Detective acting Inspector John Cosgrove said.
"In general terms, there is a lot of cameras, you are under constant video surveillance down there and your actions and your movements are being continually monitored."
A Star spokesperson said: "The Star’s internal processes identified an issue and law enforcement was subsequently engaged. The casino regulator was also informed. We have no further comment."
Investigations are continuing.
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