Couple started casino cheating system that netted millions

ONTARIO, Canada -- As reported by The National Post: "When the dealer at Table #206 at Ontario's Casino Rama started flipping cards for a mini-baccarat game, there was little doubt among the high rollers who would win. On that hand, dealt at 8:42 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2003, two players raked in $6,500.

"...When the gang hit the tables in earnest, they walked away from the Orillia casino with $2,062,927 in winnings, according to U.S. prosecutors.

"Over the next five years, the joint Canada-U.S. gang stripped casinos of tens of millions of dollars with a cheating system built around corrupt card dealers and mini radio transmitters bought at a commercial spy-gadget shop in Toronto.

"...The system was concocted by a husband and wife who were both dealers at a casino on an Indian reservation in California.

"Phuong Quoc Truong and Van Thu Tran mastered a 'false shuffle' that, in 2002, allowed friends to win small amounts at their casino. Truong was later caught and fired.

"...Once a corrupt dealer was in place, members of the group would sit at his casino table and play blackjack or mini-baccarat.

"...Things started going awry for the gang in 2006. Investigators had begun to probe the losses. Some of the bribed dealers co-operated with police in return for not being charged..."