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Macau Judiciary Police (PJ) have arrested three staff members at a jewelry store in the Cotai integrated resort district for their suspected role in illegal lending and illegal exchange of money connected to gambling. The detentions came after a report to police in the early hours of October 5th regarding a confrontation within a neighboring resort, which brought investigators to the jewelry store.
Operation Details and Evidence Collected
Officers discovered that, while operating under the guise of a legitimate retail jewelry business since February 2024, the shop secretly facilitated credit card cash-out transactions. This scheme allowed clients to convert credit card limits into cash through fraudulent purchases.
While the operation was in progress, authorities seized a variety of items, such as 54 cell phones, seven computers, two internet routers, one television, 17 bank passbooks, and other electronic gadgets. The operation uncovered transaction values amounting to more than HK$27 million (approximately US$3.46 million) associated with these activities, earning at least HK$540,000 (about US$69,000) in illegal earnings.
Arrested People and Investigation Links
The three suspects detained are Macau residents aged between 32 and 48 years old, one of whom is a store manager, and the other two posed as sales staff. Police also confiscated MOP 430,000 (US$53,300) in cash and a money-counting machine during the raid.
Additional questions revealed links to cross-border “money exchangers.” One mainland Chinese man, who is already under prosecution, allegedly introduced a casino patron to an illicit lender. When the loan did not go through, the patron was instructed to engage in the credit card cash-out scam at the jewelry store for a 10 percent commission. The client is reported to have made RMB 41,500 (US$5,720) worth of transactions and earned HK$6,000 (US$770) for it before a brawl resulted in a clash with police.
Current Efforts and Legal Processes
Agencies are actively pursuing to track down the ownership of the jewelry shop and connect other suspects in the network. The case has been sent to the Public Prosecutions Office for prosecution.
Stamping Out Financial Crimes Involving Gambling
This recent crackdown is aimed at placing Macau law enforcers’ resolve in rooting out illicit financial activity associated with the gaming sector. The case illustrates the high-tech methods used in an effort to frustrate legitimate channels by concealing illegal operations behind the front of legitimate pursuits.
Through crackdowns like these on high-tech scams, Macau officials seek to preserve the integrity of Macau’s casino business and enforce financial regulation. Ongoing investigation and prosecution must be followed to avert abuse of credit facilities and stem money laundering in relation to gambling activities.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief (AGB)
