Las Vegas Poker Player, Wife Busted in $57M Luxury Car Fraud

Posted on: June 4, 2025, 04:08h. 

Last updated on: June 4, 2025, 04:08h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More
Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.
  • Couple allegedly scammed investors with luxury resale scheme
  • Victims promised huge profits from exotic car exports
  • Fraud funded gambling, boats, jets, and personal expenses

A Las Vegas poker player who believed a financially life-changing tournament score was always just around the corner is accused with his wife of orchestrating a $57 million luxury vehicle fraud.

Las Vegas poker fraud, Jong Rhee, World Series of Poker, Lusso Auto Spa, Neelufar Rhee
Luxury vehicles recovered by police, above, which the Rhees claimed to investors would be sold overseas for huge profits – falsely, according to prosecutors. (Image: LVMPD)

Jong Rhee, 45, aka John Lusso, and Neelufar Rhee, 34, were arrested on May 22, according to court documents.

The couple are accused of persuading victims to invest in a series of high-end vehicles and boats, which they claimed would be resold to wealthy clients in Singapore at a huge profit margin because of the country’s “import restrictions.”

Police believe that no such clients existed. Instead, the couple used the money for “personal enrichment” and paying debts.

 Blew Last $10K at WSOP

“Jong frequently gambled and played poker, especially when he and Neelufar struggled financially,” police said. “He participated in tournaments … which required significant buy-in amounts. Jong would often spend several days playing poker, further contributing to their financial distress.”

Jongh Rhee’s live tournament career was not good, grossing around $20K in five years, according to the Hendon Mob Database. Yet he still believed that a big win would “solve all of their money issues,” according to police.

In the summer of 2024, the couple were so desperate for money that Jong Rhee spent their last $10K buying into the World Series of Poker Main Event. When that failed, police allege they turned to fraud.

Authorities believe the couple raised $57 million from investors “for purchasing seven high-value motor vehicles by materially fraudulent misrepresentation,” including models from Bugatti, Porsche and Rolls-Royce, according to the arrest report. They misrepresented to their clients that the resale value of these vehicles would be $2.5 billion.

It’s not clear from court documents how many victims were involved, since parts of the report are redacted.

78 Charges

The couple orchestrated the alleged fraud through their two businesses, Las Vegas-based Lusso Auto Spa and Twisted Twins Motorsports, which is based in Henderson.

In July of last year, the Rhees spent $60K on a private jet to fly themselves and friends to Missouri for a weekend boating trip, according to police. Investigators noted the boat they used was supposed to be sold to one of their allegedly non-existent international associates.

The Rhees are now facing a total of 78 felony charges, which include allegations of racketeering, money laundering, and forgery.

Authorities believe additional victims may exist and are encouraging them to come forward.