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Macau’s Judiciary Police (PJ) have arrested two local women, aged 58 and 42, on suspicion of running an illegal currency exchange operation that allegedly processed at least HK$70m for casino patrons.
PJ spokesman Ho Wai Lok said at a special press conference that the pair, both surnamed Sam, generated around HK$2m in unlawful profits since late 2024
The women worked at a jewellery shop in a casino area in NAPE and described themselves as businesswomen and saleswomen. Police believe they have carried out underground exchange operations there since 2014.
Pair accused of swapping funds for gamblers
Both are accused of providing unlicensed currency exchange services at an exchange rate of around 0.99, despite tighter rules that came into force on 29 October 2024 to curb gambling-related cash activities.
From 29 October 2023 onwards, they are alleged to have exchanged a combined total of around HK$70m for gamblers, collecting commissions and spreads that amounted to roughly HK$2m in illegal gains.
Routine inspection exposes shopfront exchange scheme
PJ officers detected the suspected exchange operation during a routine inspection of facilities next to a casino in NAPE.
Investigators said the younger woman displayed a payment QR code to a gambler inside the jewellery shop. After the customer initiated a mobile transfer of 2,020 yuan, she took Hong Kong banknotes from a drawer and handed over HK$2,000 at a rate of 0.99.
Police noted that the gambler then used the cash to purchase casino chips, indicating that the shop was acting as a direct cash channel for gaming activity.
Macau’s Judiciary Police seizes cash, ledger, and phone linked to exchange scheme.
Officers intercepted the two women on site and seized about HK$2.82m in cash and RMB 60,000. Police believe the money formed part of the illicit business’s working capital.
Investigators also recovered an account ledger that allegedly recorded exchange transactions, as well as a mobile phone believed to have been used to coordinate the operation.
The two suspects have been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office on suspicion of engaging in illegal currency exchange activities.
Police said the case forms part of wider efforts to enforce stricter rules on cash handling and financial transactions in and around Macau’s casinos.
