Joel Monaghan in $20k Las Vegas sting October 23, 2009 12:00AM Source CANBERRA centre Joel Monaghan says he was was the victim of an elaborate Las Vegas scam which cost him $20,000. And to ensure a nightmare end-of-season holiday, the NSW Origin star also revealed that $1000 was stolen by a pick-pocket. Monaghan (pictured) returned to Australia from the US and Mexico on Wednesday to tell of his harrowing experience after a night-out at the famous Mirage casino in Vegas. After signing a credit card, someone managed to get either Monaghan's card number or signature and used it over the next four nights, clocking up a $20,000 debt. "It was only when my mum went to the bank back here in Australia that she realised something was wrong,'' Monaghan said. "It happened after our first night out in Vegas. I put everything on the card but only used the card for one night. Someone then used it for the following four or five nights, spending $4000, $5000 and $6000 each time. We weren't even there when all this was happening.'' A bank manager in Canberra noticed the excessive withdrawals after a visit from Monaghan's mum. "Mum paid a bill and the bank told her something was wrong so the card got cancelled,'' Monaghan said. "Luckily we found out then otherwise it could have gone unnoticed. I don't really know how they did it. I guess in the future I won't use credit cards, Maybe pay cash. "But it won't take away from what was a great trip.'' Monaghan has contacted the Mirage and his bank hoping to somehow catch the thieves. "Maybe we can back-track how it happened,'' he said. "It is disappointing. I'm going to see the lady from the bank right now.'' Monaghan's drama didn't end there. "I had won at blackjack and was walking back to my hotel room,'' he said. "A woman approached me and asked whether I was Australian. "I got to my room and realised $1000 had gone from my back pocket. "I told the boys not to put any of their money in their back pockets after that happened.'' Monaghan visited Mexican resort Cancun two years ago when a hurricane hit. "I don't have much luck on end-of-season trips,'' he said. -------------- Unlucky. Sounds like it's pretty common though.
Doubt it was her, seeing as he was talking to her. She would have been distracting him. "Tits out for the boys"
He shouldnt have had his wallet in his back pocket. Theres signs everywhere in Vegas telling you not to have it there.
