Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: In an unusual case of high-tech gambling fraud, police have arrested a gang that organized a gambling event at a casino in Thamel to cheat players by allegedly using playing cards with embedded chips and special eye lenses that allowed users to see cards from both sides.
Organizing a press meet in Kathmandu on Sunday, the District Police Range, Kathmandu, said the group was arrested from Casino Waldo Dynasty at Chhaya Center.
Those arrested include Suresh Mahajan, Dinesh Verma, Bikram Singh, Pramod Maurya, Chija Khadka, and Bhawani Pandey.
According to SP Pawan Kumar Bhattarai, several others, including casino operator Janardan Upreti (alias Binod), Gaurav Khatri, Niraj Kumar (alias Monu), Hira Shekhar Malli Puri, Kamal Kharbanda, and Mukesh, are currently absconding.
The event was held from December 11 to 14 and included gamblers from both Nepal and India.
The main suspect, Suresh Mahajan of the Mahakaya group, allegedly arranged fake players and procured magnetic chip–embedded cards and specially designed eye lenses for the operation.
Police say the group had brought in 50 packs of magnetized playing cards and around 400 special lenses from India specifically for cheating. According to police, once worn, the lenses allowed users to read cards from both sides, giving them an unfair advantage over unsuspecting players.
The investigation also revealed a revenue-sharing arrangement: 90% of the money won through fraud would go to the event organizers, while the remaining 10% would be distributed among the players involved in the scam.
Police also seized Nepali and Indian currency, chip-embedded playing cards, special lenses, airline tickets, and other materials from those arrested.
Meanwhile, police say further legal action against the casino will be pursued in coordination with the Department of Tourism.
