A Cautionary Tale: High Stakes and High Risks

For more than a decade, an astonishing saga unfolded at The Star Sydney, starring Mende Trajkoski, an enigmatic figure predominantly without employment, yet somehow, he conjured a staggering $175 million to gamble away between 2007 and 2021. The sources of this tale, cloaked in confidentiality, allowed me a glimpse into this high-roller's world. Going on this site, it became evident that Trajkoski's lavish lifestyle and penchant for risk-taking were a well-known spectacle among the elite circles of the casino scene.

The sheer magnitude of Mr. Trajkoski's betting spree didn't fully come to light until he withdrew an eye-watering $18 million over six years. His whirlwind of wagers came to an abrupt halt in June when NSW police apprehended him in a dramatic twist, linking him to a cocaine importation operation involving multiple shipments throughout 2020 and 2021.

Cameron Watts, who's seen his fair share of financial crimes as an investigator with the Australian Federal Police, expressed utter disbelief at The Star's oversight regarding Mr. Trajkoski. He speculated, "It's either a case of sheer incompetence or perhaps something more deliberate that prevented the detection of such blatant red flags."

In a move that seemed to defy logic, The Star responded to these warning signs with indulgence, showering Mr. Trajkoski with gifts that befit royalty – including penthouse stays, opulent watches, and designer handbags. They even granted him the coveted Diamond Club membership, ensuring he had round-the-clock access to a staff member dedicated to fulfilling his every demand, be it limousine rides or last-minute lodging arrangements.

Further deepening the intrigue, The Star allowed an associate of Mr. Trajkoski, with a notorious history as a convicted drug trafficker, to exploit the Diamond Club perks. A simple online search would have unmasked this individual's shady past, yet it seemed to be overlooked. If you're keen on finding the best Vegas poker experiences, you'll discover establishments that uphold the integrity of the game.

Despite his claims of being a car salesman—a facade that was never verified—The Star let Mr. Trajkoski engage in marathon gambling sessions, which often signals problem gambling or, in darker scenarios, money laundering. A Star insider recounted a senior manager's chilling words, indicating that despite the suspicions surrounding Mr. Trajkoski's sources of wealth, the establishment chose to continue its profitable relationship with him "until this all blows up."

Not isolated in controversy, James Mussillon, a Canberra chef and restaurant owner, found himself in hot water over allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering. Once celebrated as The Star Sydney's premier patron from the ACT, he was later barred by the NSW police commissioner. In August, he faced formal charges by the AFP for supposed money-laundering activities tracing back to 2016.

Star insiders allege that the company turned a blind eye to numerous red flags, including Mr. Mussillon's unpredictable behavior. Despite being pegged as a "suspicious" gambler by Star staff, the casino enticed him with incentives to continue playing and even to bring in others from his network. A Star marketing executive even paid him a personal visit at his establishment, Courgette.

When questioned about these contentious cases, The Star's spokesman cryptically stated: "There are constraints that prevent The Star from commenting publicly on individuals."

In 2020, another scandal erupted when Star's managers were accused of making shady deals with Suncity, a high-roller tour company with alleged organized crime connections; connections so severe that Suncity's CEO was barred from entering Australia. Despite the uproar, The Star's CEO, Matt Bekier, defended the partnership, citing Suncity's global reach and credibility.

Compounding the scandal, a lawsuit by high-roller Guoyi Su accused The Star of urging him to deposit millions into an account linked to the notorious Alvin Chau and Suncity, which he later gambled at The Star Sydney. Su claims The Star withheld his rightful winnings, a claim they deny, despite court documents confirming their dealings with a Suncity representative.

Research confirmed that high-rollers, banned from Sydney or Melbourne casinos, found a welcoming haven at The Star Gold Coast, raising questions about the consistency of anti-money-laundering practices across The Star's establishments. The case of Melbourne businessman John Khoury, linked to underworld figures, exemplifies this. Despite a ban from The Star Sydney, The Star Gold Coast lavished him with gifts and hospitality in exchange for his millions in bets.

An intelligence probe in 2017 revealed a staggering $39 million flowing through Mr. Khoury's casino account, casting doubt on The Star's internal safeguards. Yet, he stands uncharged and not suspected of any criminal activity. When probing why Mr. Khoury received a ban at one venue but not another, a former Star insider simply said, "He was too valuable as a gambler for management to take action."

The Shadowy Nexus

I remember hearing about the Star's notorious connections to VIP tour operators who had a shady reputation for their ties with Chinese organized crime. Names like Simon Pan, a known brothel owner, and Tom Zhou, a reputed crime lord, were often whispered in the same breath as Crown Resorts. Their infamous dealings had Crown Resorts in Melbourne on the brink of losing their license across three states. Yet, for the longest time, Star's entanglement with these characters managed to dodge the spotlight.

Back in 2017, Austrac, the anti-money laundering watchdog, had already pegged Mr. Pan as a "junket tour representative" linked to Star. The alarm bells were ringing with reports of his dubious casino antics. And it wasn't just Pan; Mr. Zhou's past engagements with Star had caught Austrac and the AFP's vigilant eyes. I remember the buzz in 2016 when authorities raided a private jet chartered by Zhou on the Gold Coast during a money-laundering investigation, only to stumble upon receipts that revealed a staggering $15 million worth of transactions at Star.

If Star had just done a simple online check, they would've easily stumbled upon the vast, dark criminal history of Mr. Pan and Mr. Zhou. Exploring the finest poker rooms in Las Vegas might seem like a dream, but I can't shake the thought that these establishments, too, could be marred by similar underworld connections.

Tom Zhou, the man in question, wasn't just a junket operator with triad ties; he was also deeply enmeshed with the Chinese Communist Party, serving as an influence agent. It was no secret to the Australian security agency ASIO, which had flagged Mr. Zhou's extensive connections to China's overseas influence arm, the United Front Work Department, and his political donations.

Insiders with access to ASIO shared that in 2019, the agency had consulted with state police to amass intelligence on potential foreign meddling using Star as a conduit. Federal and state bodies had their eyes on at least six high-rollers or junket operators linked to Star and the Chinese government's influence operations.

Austrac's report in December 2020 revealed tidbits of these links between junket tour operations and potential foreign interference, noting the use of casino accounts for political contributions. Yet the unclassified details were just the tip of the iceberg. Austrac had dug deeper, connecting Star directly not only to Mr. Zhou but also to Huang Xiangmo, infamous for his alleged foreign-interference activities and his downfall of former Labor senator Sam Dastyari. Mr. Huang, along with members of his CCP-affiliated lobbying group, were regulars at Star, indulging in high-stakes games for years.

In a twist that now seems all too predestined, Mr. Huang once hired a VIP operations executive from Star to manage his Sydney property firm, Yuhu, back in 2015. Suspicious dealings linked to Mr. Huang's confidants at Star surfaced as late as 2018, just before ASIO showed him the door.

Traces of murky affiliations don't end with Mr. Zhou or Mr. Pan. Two Chinese tycoons, currently in the Australian Tax Office's crosshairs over alleged tax evasion, had their Star accounts seized amidst swirling allegations of laundering money through the casino.

One of these men, Phillip Dong Fang Lee, reportedly used Star’s facilities to transfer millions from China to Australia—a revelation that came to light around 2014-2015. And Zu Neng "Scott" Shi, another individual embroiled in corporate scandal, faced accusations in Federal Court for withdrawing nearly $2 million from ATMs at The Star Sydney over five years.

From what I've heard, Austrac is tightening the noose around Star, building a robust case that's likely to deliver a serious blow to the management and board members come next year. It's a saga that I, along with many others, will be watching closely.

With all this intrigue and drama, it feels almost surreal to remember that there's a world of stories, analyses, and insights that unfold each day. And they're all meticulously compiled in the Morning Edition newsletter—a beacon for those of us craving to keep abreast of the unfolding narratives.

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