Four people have been arrested in connection with an alleged cheating scheme that investigators say defrauded British Columbia casinos of more than $200,000.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C., which targets organized crime in the province, announced the arrests Thursday following an investigation that began earlier this month at a Vancouver casino.
Investigators were alerted to the suspects—identified as two men and two women—by the Independent Gambling Control Office, which regulates all gambling in B.C., on May 4 after the regulator suspected they were cheating.
The suspects were arrested in Vancouver the following day and released pending the charge approval process.
“During the search of individuals and their belongings, officers seized approximately $330,000 in cash believed to be proceeds of crime,” the CFSEU-BC said in a news release.
Authorities are pursuing several charges against the group, including cheating at play, possession of proceeds obtained by crime and uttering forged documents/impersonation.
Staff Sgt. Alvin Ng says the arrests and seizures demonstrate the importance of effective information sharing between the gaming regular and police.
“This investigation highlights the strong working relationship between the Independent Gambling Control Office and CFSEU-BC’s Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team in identifying illegal activity, apprehending suspects, and recovering illicit proceeds connected to organized gambling-related crime,” he said in a statement.
Ng also thanked the B.C. Lottery Corporation for co-operating with the investigation.
Sam MacLeod, general manager of the Independent Gambling Control Office, says early detection and real-time casino monitoring were crucial in the investigation.
“We will continue to support police in addressing organized criminal activity targeting B.C.’s gambling sector,” he added.
The CFSEU-BC said it would not release any further details about the alleged scheme while the investigation is still active.
