Two suspects, Roberto Carlos Gonzalez Miranda and Roberto Orellana, are accused of stealing more than $350,000 from a South Dakota casino. They have already been indicted by a grand jury on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft. The case involves a gambling establishment owned by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the Grand River Casino.
Nebraska Casino Employees Targeted by Brazen Criminals
The fraud and subsequent theft were carried out following an elaborate plan, similar to similar brazen casino attacks. The anonymous woman had previously contacted the casino cashier and informed him that the establishment owed $700,000 in fees and that a USPS representative would be arriving to collect the money.
According to the anonymous woman, the money was to cover various expenses and fines related to the inspection. The crime was carefully planned, but apparently the cashier was confused by the urgent and intimidating demands.
As the woman continued to talk on the phone, the cashier received a text message, purportedly from her boss, demanding that she empty the vault and deliver the money to a Bitcoin ATM in Aberdeen. The message suggested that the funds be converted to cryptocurrency on the spot.
Casino employees continue to fall victim to scammers
Deciding to comply with the instructions, the employee withdrew $352,000 from the vault and drove to Aberdeen. On the way, he received a call demanding that he meet Miranda at a gas station in Mitchell and hand over the money in person, which the employee did.
It is currently unknown how exactly the situation evolved from the initial demand for $700,000 to the meeting at the gas station in Mitchell. It is also unclear whether the employee himself became the target of federal investigators. If convicted, Miranda and his accomplices face up to 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.