A Mississippi man has been convicted of multiple felony charges following a series of fraudulent schemes at the Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood.
Thirty-eight-year-old Shaun Joseph Benward was arrested in Mississippi in April after the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Special Enforcement Operations Bureau initiated an investigation into his activities at the casino in 2018.
He was recently convicted on multiple felony charges related to these fraudulent schemes.
Benward was found guilty by a Lyon County jury of:
- Five counts of money laundering (Class C felony)
- Five counts of cheating at gambling games (Class D felony)
- One count of conspiracy to commit a felony (Class D felony)
Investigators say that Benward has been arrested for similar casino scams in other states, indicating a pattern of fraudulent activity across the country. A sentencing date has not yet been set by the court.
Casino Fraud Techniques Used
In December 2018, Benward manipulated casino staff to secure over $10,000 in improper payouts at Grand Falls Casino. Benward used a variety of deceptive techniques to secure fraudulent casino payouts and evade financial controls at the casino, including:
Breaking up high-dollar transactions: Benward split more than $12,000 into smaller transactions, using multiple tellers to avoid IRS currency transaction reporting requirements, which typically mandate reporting cash transactions over $10,000.
Changing outfits: He disguised himself by changing his clothing multiple times throughout his visit, further complicating staff identification and helping him avoid suspicion or recognition.
Disputing bet placements: Benward would place bets (notably on the roulette table) and then challenge the placement of those bets after game outcomes were known, claiming improper handling or placement to secure unearned payouts.
Manipulating casino staff: He actively worked to confuse and manipulate multiple staff members, exploiting confusion and procedural gaps to successfully extract improper payouts.
Use of multiple tellers: By rotating between different staff members for transaction handling, he diluted individual staff awareness and avoided detection.
The above techniques enabled Benward to fraudulently obtain over $10,000 in improper payouts during his visit. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation documented these specific tactics, leading to his arrest and felony convictions.
Eye in the Sky Is Always Watching
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by state agencies to combat organized fraud in the gaming industry and underscores the importance of vigilance in casino operations.
While casinos frequently encounter scams and fraud attempts, employees and law enforcement diligently strive to thwart them.
Baccarat, a high-stakes casino card game known for its complex strategies, is often targeted by scammers seeking financial gain through exploiting vulnerabilities.
The Oceans Casino Resort in Atlantic City was fined for two incidents where staff failed to adhere to rules during blackjack and mini-baccarat games.
The appeal of casinos and lotteries lies in the enticing prospect of quick wealth with little investment. Unfortunately, scammers try to exploit this hope, deceiving unsuspecting individuals into giving away their money and personal information.
The case in Iowa involved multiple felony charges, including money laundering and cheating at gambling games, and was the result of a multi-year investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Benward’s arrest and conviction highlight the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to protect the integrity of the gaming industry and deter similar fraudulent schemes in the future.
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