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The ring leader of a casino cheating group out of Southern California is facing up to 20 years behind bars.
As reported first on Gambling911.com last week, a group of alleged casino scammers were featured on San Diego’s Most Wanted.
California resident and Vietnam-born, Van Thu Tran, 45, is being described in the media as a “seductress” who would bribe male dealers at casinos her group had targeted.
OPP Chief Supt. David Crane, of the force’s Casino Enforcement Unit, told the Toronto Sun, Tran members were well trained at cheating.
“They were a very sopthisticated international cheat team,” Crane recalled. “They were the last international cheat group that we investigated.”
$7 million is believed to have been taken in the scam.
About 42 people have pleaded guilty for their roles in the ring. 19 were rounded up in the San Diego area.
42 defendants have plead guilty to charges relating to the casino-cheating conspiracy, including: Van Thu Tran, Phuong Quoc Truong, Tai Khiem Tran, Anh Phuong Tran, Phat Ngoc Tran, Martin Lee Aronson, Liem Thanh Lam, George Michael Lee, Tien Duc Vu, Son Hong Johnson, Barry Wellford, John Tran, Willy Tran, Tuan Mong Le, Duc Cong Nguyen, Han Truong Nguyen, Roderick Vang Thor, Sisouvanh Mounlasy, Navin Nith, Renee Cuc Quang, Ui Suk Weller, Phally Ly, Khunsela Prom, Hop Nguyen, Hogan Ho, Darrell Saicocie, Bryan Arce, Qua Le, Outtama Keovongsa, Leap Kong, Thang Viet Huynh, Don Man Duong, Dan Thich, Jimmy Ha, Eric Isbell, Brandon Pete Landry, James Root, Jesus Rodriguez, Jason Cavin, Nedra Fay Landry, Connie Holmes, and Geraldo Montaz. These defendants admitted to targeting, with the aid of co-conspirators, a combined total of approximately 29 casinos in the United States and Canada during the course of the conspiracy, including:
1. Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Miss.;
2. Casino Rama, in Orillia, Ontario, Canada;
3. Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn.;
4. Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, Miss.;
5. Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, La.;
6. Horseshoe Casino and Hotel in Tunica;
7. Isle of Capri Casino in Westlake, La.;
8. Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Ind.;
9. Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Uncasville, Conn.;
10. Palace Station Casino in Las Vegas;
11. Resorts East Chicago Hotel and Casino in East Chicago, Ind.;
12. Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, Calif.;
13. Cache Creek Indian Bingo and Casino in Brooks, Calif.;
14. Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash.;
15. Imperial Palace Casino in Biloxi, Miss.;
16. Argosy Casino in Baton Rouge, La.;
17. Trump 29 Casino in Coachella, Calif.;
18. Isle of Capri Casino in Bossier City.;
19. Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, Calif.;
20. Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs, Calif.;
21. Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif.;
22. L'Auberge du Lac Casino in Lake Charles, La.;
23. Nooksack River Casino in Deming, Wash.;
24. Barona Valley Ranch Casino and Resort in Lakeside, Calif.;
25. Caesars Indiana Hotel and Casino in Elizabeth, Ind.;
26. Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas;
27. Harrah’s Casino in Lake Charles;
28. Golden Moon Casino in Choctaw, Miss.; and
29. Viejas Casino in Alpine, Calif.
- Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
