Counterfeit Slot Machines Sold in Las Vegas

Written by Haylie | Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

In Las Vegas, Nevada last week, two men, Rudolfo Rodriguez Cabrera, 43, and Henry Mantilla, 35, have been indicted for selling counterfeit slot machines in Las Vegas. Cabrera, a Cuban native, and Mantilla, from Cape Coral, Florida, allegedly sold the slots under the name of the International Game Technology (IGT) brand, along with IGT computer software programs, according to US Attorney Gregory Brower from Nevada and FBI Special Agent Steven M. Martinez, also from Las Vegas.

They arrested Cabrera Monday in Riga, Latvia, and Mantilla is expected to appear on July 2 before US Magistrate Judge Robert J. Johnston. The indictment stated the company FE Electronic in Riga was owned and operated by Cabrera, and the company Southeast Gaming, Inc. out of Cape Coral was owned and operated by Mantilla. Furthermore, the indictment indicates that from August 2007 until April 15, 2009, the two men conspired to produce counterfeit copies of the IGT video gaming computer applications, using unauthorized labels representing the IGT registered trademark. They then planned to install the software in IGT slot machine cabinets, with the intention of selling them out of their companies without the permission of the actual Reno based IGT company.

The men are indicted for selling the unauthorized software in Las Vegas. The charges include one count conspiracy each, two counts trafficking counterfeit goods each, two counts trafficking counterfeit labels each, and two counts criminal copyright infringement, each. If the two men are found guilty on all counts, they could be facing a maximum of 45 years in prison and more than $5 million in fines. There are also 13 other allegations of forfeiture within the indictment, as well as another $5 million in proceeds that they incurred as a result of their criminal activity.

Exactly who bought these counterfeit games and software copies is not clear; however, it does not look like the buyers had any knowledge of any illegal activity.

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