First charge for using fake casino chips in MBS

[Dhalsim]

Dec 31, 2010

First charge for using fake casino chips in MBS

By Elena Chong

Five Indian nationals were charged with using fake casino chips. -- ST PHOTO: TERENCE TAN

FIVE Indian nationals were charged in a district court on Friday with using fake casino chips.

This is the first case of its kind since Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands opened in February and April 2010.

Maqsud Ibrahim, 28, Gurav Vishal Sopan, 26, Shettiyar Kunabalan, 24, Soheel Ahmad Jalih Ahmad, 33 and Asfaq Usman, 25, are each alleged to have used an unknown number of counterfeit chips valued at $1,000 each by exchanging them into smaller denominations of the genuine chips at Marina Bay Sands casino on Thursday.

They were remanded at Central police division lock-up with permission to take them out for investigation.

All five will be back in court next Friday, Jan 7.

If convicted, they face a fine of up to $150,000 and/or a jail term of up to seven years.

 

[Pang De]

Jan 7, 2011

Five face 32 more fake casino chips charges

By Elena Chong

-- ST FILE PHOTO

FIVE Indian nationals accused of using fake casino chips at Marina Bay Sands were accused of 32 more similar charges on Friday.

Asfaq Usman, 25, Maqsud Ibrahim, 28, Vishal Sopan Gurav, 26, Soheel Ahmad Jamil Ahmad, 33, Kunal Balan Shettiyar, 24, are alleged to have conspired with Ijaz Ahmed and others unknown in December, to use as genuine, counterfeit chips.

Ijaz, who is believed to be in Mumbai, has not been charged. Except for Soheel, the rest are said to have presented one to two pieces of fake chips with a face value of $1,000, to exchange genuine chips in smaller denominations with croupiers at MBS casino on Dec 29.

A police prosecutor told the court that the five are believed to be working for a syndicate dealing with counterfeit casino chips.

The court heard that only $17,000 had been recovered from the $47,000 involved. Asfaq's lawyer is Mr Subhas Anandan while Mr S.K. Kumar is acting for the rest.

Bail of $60,000 was offered to each. A pre-trial conference is set for Feb 11. If convicted, each faces a fine of up to $150,000 or a jail term of up to seven years or both.