Law enforcement in Alberta continues to search for the last suspect in a sophisticated fraud operation that targeted ATMs in Edmonton-area casinos and resulted in over CAD 1 million ($720,487) in losses throughout Western Canada.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has confirmed that Hisham Ismaeel, 28, remains at large with a province-wide warrant for his arrest. He faces charges of fraud exceeding $5000 and possessing proceeds of crime. Police have already arrested four other men linked to the scheme. Investigators describe the operation as a well-planned effort to exploit financial systems and clean dirty money.

The accused, Elliot Miao, 42, Van Bau Ta, 39, Hassan Jaafar Haydar Ahmad, 37, and Dennis Jones, 42, showed up in the Alberta Court of Justice last week. They face charges from fraud and money laundering to owning criminal property. Miao also has a narcotics trafficking charge after police found cocaine when they searched with warrants.

Investigators claim the group made coordinated withdrawals at several casino ATMs, timing their transactions to avoid getting caught. This action messed up ATM networks in the area and showed flaws in the systems that banks and casinos use to stop misuse.

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The RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region led an investigation that involved six search warrants in Edmonton. The Edmonton Police Service, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), and several banks supported this effort. Officials said the case shows how teamwork between public agencies and the private sector plays a key role in combating modern financial crime.

AGLC representatives pointed out that casino operators in the province must follow strict reporting and surveillance rules under Canada’s anti-money laundering laws. The specific casinos affected remain unnamed, but the Edmonton region has seven licensed facilities. AGLC said its policies helped spot problems and backed the RCMP’s investigation.

Compliance experts say this fraud shows how criminals change their methods to take advantage of weak spots in reporting limits and transaction checks. They claim that casinos, which deal with lots of cash, are still easy targets unless they keep improving their detection systems and teach their front-line workers to notice coordinated actions like several big withdrawals happening one after another.

For now, the case highlights both the money and crime aspects of casino-related fraud. Besides the million-dollar losses, finding drugs during the raids points to a bigger criminal operation where financial crimes and drug dealing overlap.

Inspired Entertainment Inc., a leading B2B provider of gaming content, technology, hardware and services, announced that it has entered an agreement with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, an agency of the government of the Canadian province of Alberta that oversees casino gaming (AGLC). Following a successful six-month trial period, AGLC has committed to purchase 150 new Valor terminals. Deployment of the new terminals is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2024.

“We are delighted to welcome AGLC as a valued customer. AGLC’s decision to order 150 Valor cabinets underscores the success demonstrated during the trial period as well as the strength of our product portfolio. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with AGLC,” Brooks Pierce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Inspired, said.

“We remain committed to expand in the attractive Canadian markets by delivering exceptional gaming solutions with both our gaming and digital products. Adding Alberta to our existing footprints in Ontario and Saskatchewan is the next step as we continue to see growth opportunities from the Canadian markets.”