With the FBI suspecting an illegal World Cup betting ring from within several Caesars Palace Villas in Las Vegas, their agents last year arrived at a clever idea to get inside one of them.
With assistance from the hotel’s WiFi contractor, the FBI agents interrupted the internet service of guests, acting as internet repairmen, and fooled a butler into getting them into one luxury suite --- without any warrant. This allowed the FBI to collect enough evidence to arrest Malaysian gambler Wei Seng “Paul” Phua.
Last Friday, a U.S. federal judge made a ruling indicating that the FBI’s tactics is in violation of Phua’s 4th Amendment rights. Prosecutors felt that the trick carried out in Phua’s case was an exception since online access wasn’t deemed a critical service.
Prosecutors revealed that $13M of bets were made before the FBI, who collaborated with Nevada’s gambling regulators, who raided other villas in Caesars Palace where Phua, his son, and others were staying. The FBI agents took their computer, money, and mobile phones.
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