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Read Full BioA married couple from Kazakhstan has been arrested in Australia for allegedly using a secret camera and earpieces to cheat their way to winning almost $800,000 at the Crown Sydney Casino.
Dilnoza Israilova, 36, and her husband, Alisherykhoja Israilov, 44, managed to win AU $1,179,412 (US $771,800) playing various table games at the casino before staff caught the couple cheating.
The couple arrived in Australia from Kazakhstan in October, and police say they registered for memberships at the Crown on the same day. A police statement said, “Over the course of October and November, the pair made multiple visits to the casino, winning a total of $1,179,412.50 and raising the suspicion of the Casino.”
On November 27, staff spotted a hidden camera in Israilova’s shirt, which led them to alert police. Det. Supt Faux said, “Our detectives collaborate closely with casino security to identify and disrupt unlawful behaviour. This strong cooperation is vital to maintaining the integrity of gaming operations and is reflected in outcomes like this.”
They have both been charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception. The couple was denied bail in court on Friday. Israilov will appear in court again on December 11, with his wife scheduled to appear back in court in February.
Secret Tech Gave Couple Edge
The couple utilized technology in a similar way as the recent rigged poker scandal that has led to the indictment of Mafia crime families and former NBA players.
New South Wales police said casino staff spotted a hidden camera in Israilova’s t-shirt and accused the couple of using their phones and hidden earpieces to gain an edge on the house.
The police stated, “On the pair, police located small, magnetised probes, batteries, and a mobile phone with a fitted attachment that allowed the camera function of the phone to discreetly view, capture, or record images.”
Police also seized a small custom-made mirror attachment for the same mobile phone.
After apprehending the couple at the casino, police searched their accommodation on Kent Street in Sydney, finding more gambling props, high-end jewelery, and cash.
Hidden Cameras Used To Reverse House Edge
The latest arrest follows a line of criminal groups that attempt to cheat casinos using technology. Earlier this year, a group of Chinese men hid cameras in cigarette packs to monitor decks of cards.
One gang member used a cut card to fan out the casino’s card deck, giving the secret camera just enough time to capture the card order. Police say the group won $1.5 million at casinos in Indiana using this technique.
In another scheme, the Tran Organization won over $7 million from 29 casinos across North America. Forty-seven people were charged, with 42 entering guilty pleas on charges including racketeering and fraud. The group bribed dealers to perform false shuffles and then used hidden earpieces to communicate bets.
