A Chinese gambler tried to cash out $10,000 in fake chips at The Star Casino (pictured) in Sydney, Australia, at the end of March. After being caught with the counterfeit chips, the would-be fraudster evaded police in a high-stakes escape back to China.
Australian police revealed new details on the case this week in an effort to bring international attention to the incident and hopefully capture the suspect.
After his depature, investigators found $10,000 in chips on the casino cash-out cage counter. They also found a further $24,000 in fake chips either left on gaming tables or circulating the casino floor.
The chips were described as “exceptionally high-grade counterfiets” by Sydney Police.
The Incident and Escape
The daring escape occured on the night of March 29. However authorities this week revealed that the plan went back further.
Security video shows the same suspect briefly visiting the Sydney casino in January. Police believe that this was expressly for the purpose of acquiring a legit casino chip to begin making fakes.
On March 29, the man returned to Sydney. He booked into The Oaks Goldsborough Suites after transferring from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
Within an hour of booking into his accommodation, he hit the casino floor. By 11:30 p.m., the suspect, dressed in all black and white sneakers, approached the cashier’s cage with $10,000 in chips.
He asked for a color change, at which point staff became slightly suspicious. Just the briefest questioning was too much for the suspect, who bolted, leaving the pile of fake chips on the countertop.
Security footage showed the suspect evading two security guards on the casino floor as he ran for the exit. Within 10 minutes of leaving the Star Casino, the man had checked out his hotel.
From that point, security cameras did not pick him up again until he arrived back at Sydney Airport, having changed his appearance and clothes. He then picked up a flight back to China at 8 a.m. and hasn’t been seen by Australian authorities since.
Similar Scams
Counterfeit casino chips undoubtedly lose casinos millions every year across the world. That’s despite increasing technological solutions to the problem.
One scammer was recently caught using low-quality fakes in Las Vegas casinos, and has now been banned from all Nevada casinos as a consequence.
The Star Casino also hit the headlines in recent weeks. A cash-out machine error led to millions of dollars claimed in fraudulent winnings when word of the glitch spread.
The casino is currently working with authorities to try and collect some of it back, with dozens of people arrested so far.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
