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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Eleven Charged in Scheme to Cheat Casinos

SAN DIEGO (CN) - In a scheme reminiscent of the hit movie Ocean's Eleven, 11 members of the Tran Organization were charged Thursday with cheating twelve casinos across the nation, using bribes and technology to get a jump on the odds and win millions.

According to the charges, the Tran Organization bribed casino card dealers and supervisors to perform a "false-shuffle" when signaled, leaving sections of un-shuffled cards. Once the un-shuffled section re-appeared, members of the organization would bet on the known order of the cards.

The group is also accused of using specialized software, hidden transmitter devices, and other advanced mechanisms to track the order of the cards, enabling them to predict the order in which cards would reappear in blackjack and baccarat games.

The indicment is part of an ongoing investigation of the gange. Part of the group was indicted earlier this summer and most of pled guitly, with one sentenced to pay $1.9 million in in restitution, and to spend 27 months in federal prison.

Joseph Wheatley and Robert Tully, of the Criminal Division's Organized Crime and Racketeering Section, are prosecuting the recently charged members.

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