Fifth Individual in Alberta Casino ATM Scam Still at Large

Posted on: August 19, 2025, 11:16h. 

Last updated on: August 19, 2025, 11:31h.

Mark Keast Read More
Expertise: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC.
  • Hisham Ismaeel, who’s charged with fraud over $5,000, is still at large
  • Six search warrants in Edmonton were executed by the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region after uncovering evidence of fraud and money laundering

A fifth person who had been the subject of an Albertawide arrest warrant related to a coordinated ATM fraud in western Canadian casinos is still at large, according to a police spokesperson.

The RCMP says a fifth individual charged after an investigation into an ATM scam in Edmonton casinos is still at large. (Image: Shutterstock)

Hisham Ismaeel, 28, was charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.

A resident of Alberta, Ismaeel was charged along with four other people in what the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Federal Policing Northwest Region calls a coordinated ATM fraud in western Canadian casinos.

The RCMP untangled suspicious activity at casino-based ATMs across the Edmonton area. Those charged were alleged to have withdrawn large sums of cash as part of a coordinated scheme intended to evade detection. The high-value withdrawals and fraud committed against financial institutions resulted in a net financial loss of more than $1 million.

ATM Service Interruptions

Those withdrawals triggered service disruptions at ATMs across Western Canada.

Six search warrants in Edmonton were executed by the RCMP, unearthing evidence of fraud and money laundering, and a quantity of cocaine.

Elliot Miao (42), Van Bau Ta (39), Hassan Jaafar Haydar Ahmad (37), and Dennis Jones (42), all of Edmonton, appeared in the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton last week.

Money Laundering Charges

“This investigation demonstrates how effective collaboration between public and private agencies can play a vital role in investigating the evolving financial crime landscape,” RCMP Federal Policing Northwest region said in a statement.

Miao was charged with possession of a classified substance for the purpose of trafficking; Ta was charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime and money laundering; Ahmad was charged with was charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime and money laundering; and Jones was charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, the Edmonton Police Service, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, and various financial institutions contributed to the investigation.

Edmonton Casinos Impacted

“AGLC casino policies mandate stringent surveillance requirements, which contributed to early detection of the suspicious behavior occurring and involvement of the RCMP,” said an AGLC spokesperson, adding that the agency is “committed to prevent, detect, and deter money laundering and terrorist financing activities in the gaming sector, both land-based and online.”

The RCMP statement didn’t name the Edmonton casinos specifically. There are seven casinos in the Edmonton area, according to the AGLC site.