Introduction to the Case
Recently, an Iowa judge handed down a 10-year prison sentence to Shaun Benward, a magician who deceived casino staff across the United States and fraudulently claimed thousands of dollars in winnings. Known by the nickname “Shaun Mistery,” Benward managed to evade capture by authorities for several years before being apprehended in April 2025.
Arrest and Investigation Details
Benward was arrested in Mississippi and subsequently transferred to Iowa for trial. The investigation into his activities began back in 2018 when it was discovered that he had tampered with employees at the Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood to unlawfully obtain $10,000.
Authorities revealed that Benward cleverly avoided detection by frequently changing his outfits and using different casino tellers to cash out. He also strategically withdrew smaller amounts to stay below the IRS reporting threshold.
In November 2025, the 38-year-old was found guilty of 13 felony charges related to his fraudulent schemes. He has already served 12 months in prison, which will be credited towards his sentence.
Methods of Deception
Benward’s scheme involved gaining the trust of casino personnel at various roulette tables. Once the game was underway, he would place bets and then claim that his chips were misplaced, convincing staff to compensate him unlawfully. At times, an accomplice would assist in making the con more convincing…