A married couple from Kazakhstan has been charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage after allegedly using a hidden camera and earpieces to win $1.18m from Sydney's Crown casino. Dilnoza Israilova, 36, and her husband Alisherykhoja Israilov, 44, were arrested at the Barangaroo casino on Thursday.
Police allege the woman wore a small camera attached to a Mickey Mouse T-shirt, while the pair used 'deep-seated earpieces' to communicate. Officers also seized magnetised probes, batteries, a mobile phone with a camera attachment, and a custom-made mirror attachment from the couple.
The couple arrived in Sydney from Kazakhstan in October 2025 and applied for Crown memberships the same day. Over October and November, they visited the casino multiple times, winning a total of $1.18m before raising suspicions among casino staff.
A search of their Kent Street accommodation uncovered additional gambling props, high-end jewellery, and €2,000. The couple appeared in local bail court on Friday; neither applied for bail and it was formally refused. Ms Israilova is due back in court in February, while Mr Israilov will appear at the Downing Centre local court on 11 December.
Detective Superintendent Peter Faux of the organised crime squad praised cooperation between police and casino security, stating: 'This strong cooperation is vital to maintaining the integrity of gaming operations and is reflected in outcomes like this.'
