Couple from Kazakhstan allegedly cheated Sydney casino out of more than $1m

Sunday, 30 November 2025 14:17

A couple from Kazakhstan have been charged for allegedly fraudulently winning over $1 million at a Sydney casino.

A couple from Kazakhstan have been charged for allegedly fraudulently winning more than $1 million at a Sydney casino.

The woman, 36, was seen by staff wearing a small camera on her skirt, with staff alerting police.

The woman, as well as her husband 44, were arrested on Thursday, with police finding further devices.

Small, magnetised probes, batteries and a mobile phone with a fitted attachment that allowed the camera function to discreetly view, capture or record images.

A small custom-made mirror attachment for the same mobile was found.

Police say the pair travelled to Sydney from Kazakhstan in October and the same day applied for memberships to a casino in Barangaroo, where the Crown Sydney is.

During October and November the pair made multiple visits, winning a total of $1,179,412.50 and raising suspicions.

Police will allege, with their mobile phones capturing images of the table, the pair were communicating with using earpieces through which they received instruction to wager on various card games and ultimately cheat the casino.

The wife was allegedly wearing a tiny camera hidden under a Disney logo.

A search warrant carried out at their accommodation on Kent Street in Sydney, saw gambling props, high end jewellery, and $2000 found.

The pair were charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception.

They were refused bail to appear in Bail Division Local Court 7 on Friday 28 November 2025.

Commander of the Organised Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said the Casino and Gaming Unit works in close partnership with casino security to detect and stop criminal activity.

"Our detectives collaborate closely with casino security to identify and disrupt unlawful behaviour. This strong cooperation is vital to maintaining the integrity of gaming operations and is reflected in outcomes like this," Det Supt Faux said.