AN AUDACIOUS fraudster who planned to con a chain of casinos by making his own chips that he could cash has been jailed. Augustin Dago, of Richford Street, Shepherd s Bush, contacted companies around the world asking them to make cash chips in �25 denom

AN AUDACIOUS fraudster who planned to con a chain of casinos by making his own chips that he could cash has been jailed.

Augustin Dago, of Richford Street, Shepherd's Bush, contacted companies around the world asking them to make cash chips in �25 denominations for a casino he had in the basement of his house.

He even sent photographs to the companies showing the type of chips, used in Gala Casinos, he required, asking that they be replicated.

In preparation of his scam, the 20-year-old applied for a driving licence under a false name and using the documents he opened two bank accounts where to launder his ill-gotten gains.

In addition, he used his fake identity to join two Gala casinos where he intended to carry out his fraud.

Southwark Crown Court heard that his plan was thwarted after the company which took his order informed Gala Coral Group Ltd, which runs Gala Casinos, who alerted the police.

Dago was arrested in March last year, and a search of his home uncovered the driving licence he had fraudulently applied for and a computer that contained photographs of Gala cash chips and the details of four companies he had contacted to commission similar chips.

Last week he was jailed for 18 months after earlier admitting four charges under the Identity Cards Act of possession of false identity documents with intent and giving a false name to the DVLA to get a driving licence.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to possess Gala Casino chips to use in the course of or in connection with fraud.

Detective Inspector, Ann Marie Waller said: "This was a calculated attempt to commit fraud against one of the major gaming groups in the UK.

"Due to the quick thinking of both the chip manufacturer and Gala Coral Group Limited, Augustin Dago was stopped from circulating counterfeit casino cash chips.