Casino Fraudster Shaun Joseph Benward Arrested After Seven Years on the Run

Long Journey of Deception Ends in Arrest

Shaun Joseph Benward, a notorious casino fraudster, had been evading capture while executing a series of scams across multiple casinos throughout the United States for seven years. His criminal activities finally came to an end in April 2025 when law enforcement officers apprehended him following a thorough investigation that began in 2018.

Multiple Charges Lead to Conviction

After being on the run for several years, Benward was brought to trial and found guilty on November 6, 2025, in a Lyon County courtroom. The charges against him included a range of fraud schemes performed at various casino venues nationwide.

Modus Operandi: Disguise and Deception

Benward’s scams typically involved impersonating different personas by changing his clothing, enabling him to deceive casino employees effectively. At the Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood, Iowa, he notably secured more than $10,000 in illicit payouts by pretending to be a magician as part of his ruse.

Avoiding Detection and Financial Reporting

To evade detection by cashiers and the Internal Revenue Service, Benward split over $12,000 into smaller transactions and utilized multiple costume changes. This tactic allowed him to avoid triggering mandatory reporting regulations. Similar fraudulent activities linked to him have been reported from casinos nationwide, demonstrating a consistent pattern of criminal behavior.

Case Status

At this time, no further details about the case or Benward’s activities have been disclosed to the public.