THE Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team (JIGIT) of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) working in close partnership with the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO), has arrested four individuals in connection with an alleged casino cheating operation that investigators believe defrauded British Columbia casinos of more than $200,000.

On May 4, the IGCO initiated an investigation into suspected cheating at play occurring at a casino in Vancouver. The matter was subsequently referred to the JIGIT, which immediately launched a parallel criminal investigation into four individuals believed to be involved in the scheme.

Through coordinated investigative efforts between IGCO investigators and the CFSEU-BC’s JIGIT officers, the four suspects were located on May 4, and the joint investigation progressed rapidly.

On May 5, all four individuals which included two men and two women were arrested in Vancouver. They were later 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 investigation into the alleged cheating at play remains ongoing.

Investigators are currently pursuing several charges including:
* Cheating at play;
* Possession of proceeds obtained by crime; and
* Uttering forged documents / impersonation.

“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”, said Staff-Sgt. Alvin Ng of JIGIT. “We would also like to thank the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) for their support and cooperation.”

“In this case, early detection, real-time monitoring, effective information sharing, and coordinated action between IGCO investigators and our policing partners enabled a rapid response that led to arrests and the recovery of suspected proceeds”, said Sam MacLeod, General Manager of the IGCO. “We will continue to support police in addressing organized criminal activity targeting B.C.’s gambling sector.”

No further details are being released at this time as the investigation remains active.