Work and Money

Three-card tricksters have been frequently spotted around Whitechapel in recent months, but now the council has brought successful prosecutions against six of them.

They were charged at Thames Magistrates’ Court with offences under the Gambling Act 2005, which included providing facilities for gambling and not holding a licence for gambling on the street.

Fining them almost £3,000 in total, including £15 each to be paid to their victims, District Judge Roscoe said: "You were making money from people who were tempted to risk their hard earned money in a crooked game."

"You cannot win with these tricks and we will continue to prosecute the unscrupulous people who carry them out.

"As well as ripping people off, the gaming takes place from a make shift table set up in a street meaning the gamblers are operating without a licence and breaking the law."

Petru Lazar acted as the lure for a three card trick con and was ordered to pay fines and costs of £300. Constantin Tarida was spotted by a council market inspector working at a three disk trick and must pay £400.

Neculai Balica, did not attend Thames Magistrates but submitted guilty plea and must now pay £415. Vasile Cazimir and Lazar Marius were fined £500 and £250 respectively in his absence, along with £215 each in costs.

Constantin Popovici, was fined £500 in his absence, with costs of £165.

angela.saini@bbc.co.uk