Watch: 'Cards are marked' police warn as four illegal gambling dens shut down this year
The dens are using marked cards and infrared cameras to exploit players.
West Midlands Police have warned of the unfair dangers of using illegal gambling dens in Birmingham as they continue their work to dismantle them.
Officers from the Birmingham Serious Crime and Exploitation Team, along with a team from Operation Fearless, have worked to dismantle illegal gambling businesses in the Birmingham region.
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As well as shutting down the dens across the region, officers are now warning of the additional risks of using the illegal gambling dens after it was found that players were being targeted by marked cars and infrared cameras.
In at least one incident, officers found evidence that victims were being given marked cards that could be detected by an overhead infrared camera, with the information then being relayed to someone at the table.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson 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 a serious risk to anyone visiting them.
"Not only that, but our officers have found that those attending gambling nights at such premises are at risk of exploitation and further financial harm. Specifically, we have found evidence that victims are being targeted by a covert infrared camera, monitoring specially marked cards on the poker table."
One building housing a gamblind den on Bishop Street, Birmingham, was closed entirely by West Midlands Fire Service due to the dangerous conditions fire officers discovered inside.
Officers also said that they are aware of international students being targeted by organised criminals, who gain influence over them through illegal gambling nights.
The force spokesperson said: "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.
"But, we know that illicit gambling nights exist in a variety of premises, and those attending may not always be aware of the risks around them."
The force revealed that four gambling dens have been shut down this year, with investigations continuing.
