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The investigation, dubbed "Operation Summer Heat", revealed a complex, multi-year conspiracy centered around rigged poker games and illegal sports betting. Over 28,000 arrests were made across 11 states, with hundreds of child predators also apprehended under similar operations. The focus extended beyond gambling, targeting violent criminals and organized crime syndicates, particularly those linked to notable La Cosa Nostra families such as the Bonanno, Gambino, and Genovese.
Details of the Fraud Scheme
The scheme involved manipulating poker games through high-tech cheating methods, primarily at clandestine venues that appeared legitimate to the unsuspecting victims. The suspects employed a sophisticated array of cheating devices, including: