A massive and intricate poker cheating scheme allegedly orchestrated by the mafia has been uncovered by US authorities, revealing a high-stakes world where celebrities, professional athletes, and wealthy gamblers were systematically defrauded out of millions of dollars. What initially seemed like a glamorous gathering around a Texas Hold ’Em poker table—featuring famous faces such as Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones—turned out to be a carefully engineered con designed to make winning nearly impossible for the unsuspecting participants.
According to prosecutors, the elaborate scheme involved sophisticated technology and a network of conspirators working together to cheat wealthy victims, known in the scam as “fishes.” These “fishes” were lured by the opportunity to play high-stakes poker with well-known figures and were drawn into underground games where tens of thousands of dollars were wagered. However, every element of the games—from the shuffling of the cards to the counting of chips—was rigged to ensure the victims lost. The total amount cheated from victims is estimated to be at least $7 million, with one individual reportedly losing as much as $1.8 million.
The scheme, which federal prosecutors described as “reminiscent of a Hollywood movie,” was dismantled after a sprawling investigation that resulted in over 30 arrests. Among those arrested were members of notorious mafia families—including the Bonanno, Gambino, Lucchese, and Genovese crime families—as well as Billups and Jones. The FBI director, Kash Patel, described the fraud as “mind-boggling,” highlighting its scale and sophistication, with victims spread across major US cities such as New York, Miami, and Las Vegas.
The cheating operation reportedly began as early as 2019 and was tied to the mafia’s efforts to fund their criminal enterprises. Prosecutors say that a portion of the illicit profits was funneled back into the mafia’s coffers. The mafia recruited former professional athletes and other notable individuals, known as “face cards,” to attract high-profile players into their underground poker games. These face cards helped draw in victims who were eager to test their skills against celebrities, unaware that they were stepping into a trap.
Central to the scam was an array of high-tech cheating devices and covert communication methods. The poker tables themselves were embedded with X-ray technology capable of reading face-down cards, giving the conspirators complete knowledge of every player’s hand. Chip trays contained analyzers to monitor bets, while rigged shuffling machines could predict which players held the best cards. Additionally, the conspirators used pre-marked cards and wore special sunglasses or contact lenses that allowed them to see the markings and identify opponents’ cards instantly. Cameras hidden in tables and light fixtures relayed crucial information to those orchestrating the scheme.
Communication among conspirators was equally elaborate. An off-site “operator” would receive real-time information during the game and transmit it to a player at the table known as the “quarterback” or “driver.” This player then used subtle hand signals—such as touching a $1,000 chip or tapping their chin or wrist—to convey which conspirator held the winning hand. Intriguingly, evidence from text messages revealed that the conspirators sometimes deliberately lost hands to keep victims engaged longer, maximizing their losses.
To avoid detection, the conspirators would rotate players and occasionally lose money to co-conspirators. This tactic helped maintain the appearance of fairness and kept victims unsuspecting. Each game reportedly resulted in victims losing tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Prosecutors also revealed that the stolen funds were laundered through various means, including cryptocurrency transactions, cash exchanges, and shell companies, further obscuring the money trail.
The FBI Assistant Director in Charge, Christopher Raia, emphasized the widespread impact of the operation, stating, “This alleged scheme wreaked havoc across the nation, exploiting the notoriety of some and the wallets of others to finance the Italian crime families.” The involvement of high-profile individuals and the use of cutting-edge technology made the scheme particularly audacious and difficult to detect.
Among those arrested, Chauncey Billups, the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was identified as a “face card” who helped attract players to the rigged games. Billups was arrested in Portland and has been placed on leave by the NBA. The Portland Trail Blazers issued a statement confirming they were aware of the allegations and are fully cooperating with the ongoing