Australian Casino Busts Couple In £600k Spycam Scam
MELBOURNE, Australia (WHN) – A man and a woman have been charged in Melbourne after allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated spycam scam to defraud a major casino of AUD $1.1 million (£600,000). Victoria Police arrested the couple following an internal investigation by Crown Melbourne’s security team, which detected irregular betting patterns at a high-stakes baccarat table over several weeks.
The operation was complex. Investigators allege the couple used a miniature camera concealed within a piece of jewelry to transmit a live video feed of cards as they were dealt from the shoe, a police statement outlined.
This feed was reportedly sent to a remote accomplice. Authorities believe a third individual, located off-site, analyzed the card sequence in real-time and then signaled the couple on how to place their bets for a guaranteed advantage.
The suspects, a 38-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, face multiple charges. These include obtaining financial advantage by deception and using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes, court filings confirmed.
The arrests occurred late Saturday night on the casino floor.
Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Michael Davies described the scheme as a “highly organized and technologically advanced attempt” to compromise the integrity of the casino’s games. He stated the investigation is ongoing to identify all parties involved.
Crown Melbourne’s management is fully cooperating with the official investigation. A spokesperson for the casino confirmed they have a “zero-tolerance policy for cheating” and that their advanced surveillance and analytics systems were instrumental in identifying the suspects.
The casino’s internal security team was first alerted by a monitoring system that flagged the couple’s unusually high and consistent win rate. Human surveillance operators then focused on the baccarat table, which led to the discovery of the illicit communication method.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has been formally briefed on the incident. A VGCCC representative stated the commission is monitoring the police investigation closely and will review the casino’s security protocols in light of the breach.
“This was not an opportunistic act,” Detective Superintendent Davies said in a press briefing. “This was a calculated plot that required significant planning and specialized equipment to execute.”
A search for the third alleged accomplice is now a primary focus for investigators. Police have not released a description of the individual but confirmed they are pursuing several immediate leads based on electronic data recovered.
The couple was granted bail after a brief court appearance. They are scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court next month to face the charges.
