Calgary Police Bust Alleged Insider Fake-Payout Casino Scam

• Cheating ring used casino insiders to issue fraudulent payouts.
  
• Five suspects charged after internal investigation uncovered irregular winnings.

A ring of alleged casino cheats that used insiders to bilk a casino in southwest Calgary, Alberta out of unearned winnings have been arrested by police in the city.

Authorities have charged two men – Leonilo Calahi Juan, 51, and Rui Qin Huang, 52 – and three women – Yalan Yin, 50, Rosielyn Konno, 57, and Catherine Manipon, 48 – with fraud, according to a news release from the Calgary Police Service (CPS).

Between October 31 and November 19, “two employees of the casino illegitimately issued “unearned winnings” to three patrons on several occasions, who participated in various card games,” the CPS said.

Calgary police did not identify the casino involved. The only major casino located in the city’s southwest quadrant is the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, although authorities have not indicated whether the incident occurred there.

Dodgy Dealers, or Something Else?

From the description, the scam may have revolved around dealers overpaying wins, paying out on losing hands, or stacking extra chips inside the payout stack – the most common form of insider cheating at casinos.

Nor has it disclosed how much was taken during the three weeks the scam operated for, although it was more than $5K, according to the charge sheet. Charges also indicate that Konno and Manipon were the employees who were working the inside job, since they also face one count each of criminal breach of trust.

Ruse Rumbled

Overpayment scams usually unravel quickly because they leave a trail. The table’s numbers stop making statistical sense, the same players rack up improbable wins, and payouts fail to line up with surveillance footage during routine audits.

This one was no different. Police were called to the casino on November 19 after receiving reports of theft and fraud. All five suspects were arrested at the scene.

“Addressing financial crime requires a united approach across different agencies,” said CPS spokesman Inspector Scott Neilson in a statement.

“The Calgary Police Service works closely with regulatory bodies and industry partners to ensure gaming industry standards are followed, and those who attempt to exploit them are held accountable. We thank our investigators and partners for their diligent work in helping us advance this investigation.”