RCMP charge Edmonton men after casino-based ATM withdrawals shake service
The RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region (NWR) untangled suspicious activity at casino-based ATMs across the Edmonton area, Mounties said in a Monday news release.
Executed at casinos around the Edmonton area, the scam triggered a service disruption to ATMs across Western Canada.
'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,' said the release from the RCMP's Northwest Region.
'Investigators allege that the accused withdrew large sums of cash as part of a co-ordinated scheme intended to evade detection and exploit financial institutions. The fraud resulted in a net financial loss of over $1 million.'
Elliot Miao, 42, Van Bau Ta, 39, Dennis Jones, 42, and Hassan Jaafar Haydar Ahmad, 37, are all facing charges.
Edmonton court records show Miao has a criminal history going back to before 2007. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking, and was sentenced to 30 months in custody. In 2007, he was sentenced to four years for trafficking a controlled substance. In 2009, he was given four years for possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm and breach of conditions.
Court records also show that in February 2023, Bau Ta was charged with fraud over $5,000, possession of stolen property and laundering proceeds of crime.
And in February 2023, Jones was charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of stolen property, show court records. In January 2024, he was charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault. He received a suspended sentence and probation.
All four men were scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on Monday.
Hisham Ismaeel, 28, is wanted on an Alberta-wide arrest warrant.
In February 2023, Ismaeel was charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of stolen property. In August 2020, Ismaeel was charged with criminal harassment.
RCMP said arrests in the case are a result of teamwork.
'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,' Mounties said in the release.
'This investigation demonstrates how effective collaboration between public and private agencies can play a vital role in investigating the evolving financial crime landscape.'
Edmonton Police Service spokesperson Brooke Timpson responded to the news.
'The EPS appreciates its successful partnership with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, the RCMP and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada throughout this investigation,' Timpson said.
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.
jcarmichael@postmedia.com
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