Kazakhstani couple charged with stealing over $1 million at a Sydney casino

Police in New South Wales have charged a couple from Kazakhstan for allegedly rigging a win of over AUD$1 million ($773,850) at a Sydney casino.

Organised Crime Squad detectives from New South Wales Police (NSW Police) made the arrests after the couple was observed using a camera device while playing at the Crown Sydney.

Dilnoza Israilova and Alisherykhoja Israilov have been named as the two individuals who were taken into custody by the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad Casino and Racing Unit as part of the alleged illegal activity.

Upon their arrest, the NSW Police special unit found “small, magnetised probes, batteries, and a mobile phone with a fitted attachment that allowed the camera function of the phone to discreetly view, capture or record images.”

In addition to the litany of illegal gambling paraphernalia, the couple had a small “custom-made mirror attachment for the same mobile phone,” and as a result were charged with “dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception.”

Under a police operation known as Strike Force Antree, the pair were identified as having been involved in other Australian casino locations. According to the unit and the inquests, the couple flew from Kazakhstan in October 2025 and visited multiple entertainment venues.

The NSW Police report stated that the couple visited the location on the day they arrived from their travels and, over the course of two months (October 2025 to November 2025), made $1,179,412.50 using deep-seated earpieces through which they received instructions to place wagers.

After the initial arrests, the NSW Police investigated their apartment, finding “gambling props, high-end jewellery, and $2000” dollars.

Speaking as part of a release linked to the casino case, Commander of the Organised Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said the specialist unit works in tandem with casino locations to take down any alleged fraud.

“Our detectives collaborate closely with casino security to identify and disrupt unlawful behaviour. This strong cooperation is vital to maintaining the integrity of gaming operations and is reflected in outcomes like this,” Det Supt Faux said.

The Israilovas were refused bail and would face the fraud and gambling charges at the Downing Centre Local Court, Division 7, on December 11 and February 11, 2026.

Featured image: NSW Police

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