Two Scammers Receive $350K from South Dakota Casino Employee
A man facing charges for stealing $350,000 from a South Dakota gaming property employee made a court appearance this week. The casino worker, who received the cash from the casino cashier's cage, handed it over to the defendant at a gas station.
Roberto Orellana, 44, of Omaha, received the money and pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to grand theft, as reported by the Mitchell Daily Republic.
Judge Chris Giles declined to alter the bond conditions for Orellana. Federal authorities had requested a bond hold.
The case might proceed to a trial, where Orellana could face a maximum of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000 if convicted.
Starting with a Text
The episode began when the nameless Grand River Casino employee - who worked in the Mobridge, SD, property's cashier's cage - got a fraudulent message on his phone.
The first message instructed him to convert the cash into bitcoins at an Aberdeen, SD, machine. The second message provided new guidance to bring the $350K to a supposed lawyer representing the casino. They were to meet at the Dakota Sunset gas station in Mitchell, SD.
Mitchell is in proximity to Sioux Falls, SD, approximately 236 miles away from Grand River.
Upon arrival, the casino employee handed the cash to two men waiting in the gas station's parking lot.
Payment Attributed to 'Audit'
The messages stated an audit was being conducted, and the funds would halt more fines against the casino. The sender pretended to be the employee's boss.
Special Agent Brian Larson from South Dakota's Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) viewed surveillance footage at the gas station, which helped identify the credit card used by one of the suspects.
The man presenting the credit card resided in Omaha, Neb. and owned the car used by the two suspects. Subsequently, Orellana was implicated in the theft.
The identity of the second suspect in the gas station's parking lot is unknown, with no news of potential charges.
Grand River Casino and Resort, owned and operated by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, remained silent on the outcome of the money and how it led to authorities' involvement.
Remarkably, cases with similar modus operandi have been reported across US casinos recently.
Read also:
- Remaining contenders down to two in DFB's struggle versus Brazil.
- Law enforcement agencies in various metropolises plan expansive measures for May 1.
- Berlin Transport Senator Schreiner Steps Down over Doctorate Issues
- The Next Development in the DAZN/DFL Billion Euro Controversy
Source: www.casino.org
