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Mexico Blocks 13 Casinos Over Alleged Laundering Scheme Using Fake Wins

Officials say casinos used stolen identities with prepaid codes to stage fake wins that moved money abroad, with complaints to prosecutors plus U.S. coordination now underway.

Overview

  • The Finance Ministry and the federal Security Cabinet designated the 13 companies as blocked legal entities, suspending operations, freezing related bank accounts and shutting digital platforms.
  • Authorities outlined a six-step method that exploited students, homemakers and retirees through identity theft or deception, simulated bets, fictitious winnings and rapid transfers out of Mexico.
  • Funds were routed through digital tools to jurisdictions including the United States, Romania, Albania, Malta, Panama, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates before being reintroduced as apparent legal income.
  • The case spans casinos in Jalisco, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora, Baja California, the State of Mexico, Chiapas and Mexico City, a sector officials flagged as high risk for cash and digital flows.
  • Two properties reported as linked to Grupo Salinas were notified of the probe; the company denies wrongdoing and calls the action persecution, as officials prepare filings to the FGR and deepen work with Treasury, FinCEN and OFAC.