It was like a scene out of "Ocean's Eleven" -- well, if George Clooney and Brad Pitt had hacked the security system and used the casino's own surveillance system against it.
That's exactly what at least one man had been doing for weeks in a high-tech scam at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia.
The Herald Sun exclusively reports that a gambler used the casino's security cameras to spy for him as he played. Over the period of time, the high roller walked away with a staggering $32 million AUS (about $33.2 million).
Though only one man -- who has yet to be identified -- has been implicated in the crime, others may have been involved.
Describing the Crown casino scam to Melbourne-based radio station 3AW 693 News Talk, Herald Sun crime reporter Mark Buttler explained: "Someone has been able to get into the security system remotely and, we're told, advise the player about what other cards the other players are holding, and he's cleaned up to the tune of 32 million."
Casino security consultant Barron Stringfellow imagined the gambler and an accomplice used a wireless transmission to carry out the ploy.
"[T]hrough a wireless transmission to his ear during his eight hands of play, he was told exactly what plays would be beneficial to make," Stringfellow told ABC News radio.
Though Crown has been markedly quiet about the heist, a spokeswoman for the casino confirmed to Australia's News Limited that an investigation into reports of a "sophisticated betting scam" is underway.
At least one casino employee has been fired as a result.
Local police are aware of the incident, but Crown has not filed a formal complaint, the Sun reports.
The $32 million scam is the biggest to hit the casino since it opened in 1994. As the Age notes, Crown was defrauded out of $1.8 million in 1998 by one of the casino's baccarat dealers.
Related
Before You Go
