Casino Scammer Jailed
The head of a gang known as the Tran Organization, Phuong Quoc Truong, was sentenced to 7 years in jail for his role in cheating scores of North American casinos.
The gang reportedly managed to scam nearly $7 million over an eight year period, from casinos across the United States and Canada.
The Tran Organization, which consisted of nearly 40 members, used a number of methods, including bribery, corruption and advanced corruption.
Some of their methods included:
- Bribing card dealers and supervisors to perform 'false shuffles'. This allowed the cheaters to bet on the order of the cards based on their knowledge of the unshuffled cards. This method was used on blackjack and baccarat.
- Hidden software and transmitters.
Truong entered into a plea deal with authorities after he was caught, agreeing to plead guilty to racketeering charges in return for paying back $5.7 million to the casinos that he cheated, as well as $2.8 million in fines.
He also agreed to forfeit homes, property and luxury vehicles, as well as expensive personal items such as a Rolex watch.
The gang targeted casinos in Indian tribal jurisdictions in the United States, as well as casinos in Ontario, Canada.
In the meantime, at least 27 other members of the gang are awaiting trial, having been charged with cheating the casinos along with Truong.
Their trials will commence once the FBI and other groups have completed their investigations into the crimes.
