Zurich, Mar 10: An international gang involved in a sophisticated baccarat cheating scheme has been uncovered at a casino in Zurich, with industry experts describing it as one of the largest gambling scams detected in Switzerland, according to a report.
World Game Protection Conference (WGPC), which focuses on safeguarding the integrity of the gambling industry, recognised the efforts of Swiss Casinos Zurich in detecting and dismantling the fraud operation.
The scam, known as the “cut-card” or “Chinese Eleven” scheme, is believed to have originated in Macau before being exposed in Zurich.
Investigators estimate that the operation had cost casino operators around USD 175,000.According to WGPC founder Willy Allison, the case stood out because authorities successfully identified the colluding group and secured prosecutions, which can often be difficult in gambling-related fraud cases.
He said the Zurich casino worked closely with investigators to track the group’s activities and gather evidence.The fraud involved players secretly recording the cards during a baccarat game using hidden cameras or mobile phones, particularly focusing on the corners of the cards when they were spread or handled.
Suspects would then temporarily leave the table to review the footage and determine the sequence of face-down cards. The information would later be relayed to accomplices still playing at the table, allowing them to gain an unfair advantage.
Investigators reportedly became suspicious after noticing a pattern in which certain players frequently stepped away from the table at similar intervals before returning to continue playing.
In some cases, cameras were allegedly concealed in sleeves while players volunteered to cut the deck, capturing images of the cards before stepping away to analyse them.
Experts say cheating methods in card games have evolved with technology, though casinos have increasingly relied on surveillance and analytics to detect suspicious behaviour.
The WGPC said it plans to release a detailed analysis of the case next month to help casinos and gaming operators worldwide strengthen safeguards against similar fraud attempts.
