RCMP pinpoint ATM scam in Edmonton casinos, four charged

The RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region (NWR) have charged four individuals with a coordinated ATM fraud in western Canadian casinos.

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The investigation uncovered suspicious activity at casino-based ATMs across the Edmonton area, involving a series of high-value withdrawals that triggered a service disruption to ATMs across western Canada.

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The NWR executed six search warrants in the Edmonton area with the help of the Edmonton Police Service. Searches unearthed evidence of fraud and money laundering, as well as a quantity of cocaine, which triggered an additional drug trafficking charge against a fifth individual.

Investigators allege that the accused withdrew large sums of cash as part of a coordinated scheme intended to evade detection and exploit financial institutions. The fraud resulted in a net financial loss of over $1 million.

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As a result of the investigation, the following males from Edmonton were charged:

Elliot Miao 42, Van Bau Ta 39, Hassan Jaafar Haydar Ahmad 37, and Dennis Jones 42 are scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton today.

Hisham Ismaeel, 28, a resident of Alberta, was charged with two offences. An Alberta-wide arrest warrant was issued for his arrest.

The investigation was made possible thanks to the collaborative efforts of Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, the Edmonton Police Service, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, and various financial institutions.

“This investigation demonstrates how effective collaboration between public and private agencies can play a vital role in investigating the evolving financial crime landscape.”

If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to your local law enforcement agency and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at www.centreantifraude.ca, or by calling: 1-888-495-8501.

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