Police in Birmingham, England have warned overseas students to avoid illegal gambling dens by demonstrating how players can be cheated in private poker games.
After cracking down on the illegal home games and busting one venue, police showed images of an overhead infrared camera which was set up to track players’ marked hole cards, with the information then relayed to other players at the table.
In a statement, police said: “We’re issuing a warning about illegal gambling dens in Birmingham, as we continue our work to dismantle them.
“Officers from the Birmingham Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation Team (SOCEX) and Operation Fearless are working hard to deal with the dens, which are unregulated and often linked to wider criminal activity – potentially posing serious risk to anyone visiting them.”
sometimes coercing them into other criminal activities”
“Unfortunately we know that overseas students are often targeted by organised criminals who gain influence over them through illegal gambling nights, sometimes coercing them into other criminal activities,” the police added.
“We’re taking action. Our evidence has led us to enforce at four illegal gambling dens so far this year, and our thorough investigations are continuing.”
