Kazakh pair accused of using spycam and earpieces to win A$1.2m in casino

A husband and wife from Kazakhstan allegedly used a hidden camera and earphones to win nearly AU$1.2 million (£59,300; AU$784,000) fraudulently at an Australian casino.

New South Wales Police said the couple were arrested after casino staff in Sydney’s central Barangaroo neighborhood noticed Delnoza Israilova, 36, wearing the small, detachable camera on her Mickey Mouse T-shirt.

Then she and her husband, 44-year-old Alisherikhoja Israilov, were arrested. Police searched them and allegedly found “magnetic sensors” and a mirror attached to a phone allegedly used to manipulate games.

The couple have been accused of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage and remain in detention.

NSW Police said the couple arrived in Sydney from Kazakhstan in October and applied for casino membership the same day.

Over the following weeks, they made a number of visits to the casino – said to be the Crown Casino on Sydney’s waterfront – and accumulated winnings totaling A$1,179,412.50.

This aroused the suspicions of casino employees, who allegedly caught them red-handed on Thursday.

Police said spy devices were connected to the couple’s cell phones, allowing them to take and view photos of the table.

They also wore hidden earpieces, through which they allegedly received instructions on when to bet on card games.

A NSW Police spokesperson told the BBC they were not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the alleged fraud.

In a subsequent search of their accommodation near the casino, officers found other “gambling paraphernalia”, fine jewelery and €2,000 (£1,750; $2,320) in cash.

NSW Police said the couple appeared in court on Friday and were denied bail.

Ms Israilova is due back in court in February, Guardian Australia reported, while Mr Israilov is scheduled to appear on December 11.