Vegas Poker Player, Wife Accused in $57M Luxury Car Scam

A Las Vegas man who chased poker dreams he thought would turn his life around now finds himself at the center of a $57 million fraud case. 

J.R., 45, who also went by the name J.L., and his wife, N.R., 34, were arrested on May 22 by the Las Vegas Metro Police, accused of running an elaborate luxury vehicle scam, according to newly released court documents.

The Luxury Vehicle Flipping Scam

The spouses are alleged to have convinced investors to pour millions into what they described as a lucrative vehicle-flipping business.

According to the 94-page arrest warrant, the duo claimed the plan involved purchasing luxury cars and boats, then reselling them in Singapore for a massive profit due to that country’s strict import limits.

However, investigators say those overseas clients never existed. Instead, the couple allegedly funneled the funds into their personal lifestyle and debt payments.

“J. frequently gambled and played poker, especially when he and N. struggled financially,” police wrote in the arrest report. “He participated in tournaments … which required significant buy-in amounts.”, the report added.

R.’s poker track record, according to the Hendon Mob database, was modest at $20,000 in winnings over five years. 

Still, police say he was convinced that one big score would fix their financial troubles. In 2024, they were down to their last $10,000, money that R. used to buy into the World Series of Poker Main Event. He lost.

WSOP Loss Triggered the Ramp Up 

Shortly after, investigators believe the couple ramped up their fraudulent activities. They allegedly raised $57 million from investors to buy seven ultra-luxury vehicles, including brands like Porsche, Bugatti and Rolls-Royce, under the false promise they’d flip for $2.5 billion.

According to court documents, in one case connected to a 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, J.R. said he would get $7.5 million for the vehicle with a value of $526,000. Another case involved a $3.9 million boat that was supposed to be sold for $13.5 million to a buyer in Singapore.

The two ran the operation through two Nevada-based businesses: Lusso Auto Spa in Las Vegas and Twisted Twins Motorsports in Henderson.

Among the more extravagant expenditures listed in the report, the police report mentioned a $60,000 private jet trip to Missouri for a weekend boating getaway with friends, using a boat that was supposedly reserved for one of their fictional international buyers.

Authorities also said the spouses tried to purchase a bar and a home in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and also used an investor’s money to travel to California.

78 Felony Charges

Last October, through a warrant signed off by a judge, police searched the R.’s $2 million home and businesses in Henderson and seized dozens of luxury vehicles.

Altogether, the couple now faces 78 felony charges, including racketeering, money laundering, and forgery. Law enforcement believes there may be more victims and is urging anyone affected to come forward.

J.R. and N.R. both posted bail set to $100,000. They will return to court on June 9. C.D. and J.B. also face charges tied to the same case.

Last month, we reported on a similar case of an ex-attorney who was sentenced for a massive $8.7 million scam involving Las Vegas investors.

In March, a former NFL linebacker was slapped with a 30-month sentence in federal prison for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme that defrauded its victims of more than $5 million.