Four men charged in alleged $1M ATM fraud at Edmonton-area casinos
RCMP say high-value cash withdrawals at casino ATMs disrupted machines across Western Canada; a fifth man was wanted on a warrant.
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Four Edmonton men have been charged in what the RCMP calls a "co-ordinated ATM fraud" at casinos in the Edmonton area that caused a net loss of more than $1 million.
Investigators with RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region looked into a series of high-value cash withdrawals from ATMs located in casinos. Police allege the accused withdrew large sums as part of a co-ordinated plan to avoid detection and take advantage of financial institutions.
The withdrawals caused service disruptions at ATMs across Western Canada, the RCMP said. The casinos involved were not named, and police did not say when the withdrawals took place.
Searches and charges
With help from the Edmonton Police Service, investigators carried out six search warrants in the Edmonton area. Police said they found evidence of fraud and money laundering, along with a quantity of cocaine that led to a drug trafficking charge against a fifth individual.
Charged are Elliot Miao, 42, Van Bau Ta, 39, Hassan Jaafar Haydar Ahmad, 37, and Dennis Jones, 42, all of Edmonton. The four were scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Edmonton on Aug. 11, 2025.
The RCMP also named Hisham Ismaeel, 28, an Alberta resident, who faces two charges. An Alberta-wide warrant was issued for his arrest.
Agencies involved
The RCMP said Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), which regulates casinos in the province, assisted with the investigation, along with the Edmonton Police Service, FINTRAC and several financial institutions. Police said the case shows how co-operation between public agencies and private companies can play a vital role in financial crime investigations.
None of the charges has been proven in court. The RCMP asked anyone who believes they have been a victim of fraud to contact local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
None of the charges have been proven in court.