Operation Tran Wreck: Vietnamese Blackjack Cheat Van Thu Tran Profiled on ‘American Greed’
CNBC’s “American Greed” will be airing a segment on Vietnamese Blackjack cheater Van Thu Tran and her gang including husband Phuong Truong.
Van Thu Tran, 45, entered her guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia early last year. A three-count indictment was returned in San Diego on May 22, 2007, and unsealed on May 24, 2007, which charged Van Thu Tran and 13 others each with one count of conspiracy to participate in the affairs of a racketeering enterprise; one count of conspiracy to commit several offenses against the United States, including conspiracy to steal money and other property from Indian tribal casinos; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The Winning Hand
They begin as dealers working in unsuspecting casinos. Van Thu Tran and her husband Phuong Truong embark on a life of crime conning casinos out of millions. They perfect their scam at mini-baccarat and blackjack tables. The only question is: How much can they steal?
False Shuffle
It’s an age-old card trick. Cheaters know the order of cards before they’re dealt. Using this sleight of hand, corrupt dealers and players can make thousands of dollars in just minutes. The Trans bring the old cheat into the 21st century with hidden microphones and computer programs.
A Family Affair
From the beginning the cheat is a family affair. The Trans recruit relatives and other dealers often down on their luck. The team takes a big risk … their jobs, criminal prosecution and prison sentences. But the trick is so easy and Tran members ask: “Who are we really hurting?”
Operation Tran Wreck
Van and Phuong buy jewelry and flashy cars. In the Tran Organization the stolen money is kept at the top. Casino managers become suspicious. The FBI launches Operation Tran Wreck to catch the cheaters in action.
American Greed profiles one of the most successful casino gambling rings!
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
