Judiciary Police seize over HK$180,000 in crackdown on unauthorised financial activity
Routine Patrol Uncovers Underground Exchange Scheme
Authorities in Macau have dismantled a suspected illegal money exchange operation within a Cotai casino, detaining a mainland Chinese woman and two male gamblers in the process. The Judiciary Police intercepted the trio during a routine patrol on the morning of 21 July 2025, according to local media outlet Macao Daily.
The central figure, a woman surnamed Guo, is reportedly in her 50s and unemployed. She was observed by plainclothes officers engaging in a suspicious transaction with the two men in a hotel shopping area adjacent to the casino. Surveillance footage showed Guo presenting a QR code on her mobile device, which one of the men scanned, followed by a hand-to-hand exchange of HK$30,000 in cash. The men later entered the casino floor, triggering suspicion.
Over HK$240,000 Seized in Crackdown
All three individuals were apprehended shortly after noon. Upon investigation, one of the men admitted to exchanging RMB 28,200 for HK$30,000 via Guo. Officers recovered HK$25,900 in leftover gambling funds from the pair, while a further HK$160,000 and RMB 60,000 were found on Guo, along with a mobile phone believed to contain transaction records.
Authorities estimate Guo had profited around RMB 750 from this single transaction, suggesting she had engaged in unauthorised currency exchanges since early July. Guo has so far refused to cooperate during questioning, prompting police to escalate the matter to the Public Prosecutions Office under anti-gambling and financial crime statutes.
The Broader Problem: Shadow Money Markets in Macau
The case shines a light on the growing underground currency exchange networks that operate within Macau’s gaming sector, especially those targeting high-volume mainland Chinese gamblers. Due to China’s capital control policies, many players turn to unlicensed “money changers” who offer fast, often anonymous currency swaps—typically at competitive but risky rates.
These grey-market operations circumvent formal exchange channels and pose risks to both gamblers and the financial system, often linked to money laundering, loan sharking, and underground banking activities. Macau’s Judiciary Police and Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) have increased patrols in recent years to combat these practices.
Legal Consequences and Future Monitoring
Guo and her associates face potential prosecution under laws governing unauthorised financial services and gambling facilitation. Investigators are currently examining her phone records and surveillance data to determine if she is part of a larger illicit exchange network.
This latest bust underscores Macau’s increasing commitment to cleaning up its casino-linked financial environment, especially as the city recovers post-pandemic and seeks to uphold regulatory standards demanded by international financial bodies. Continued crackdowns may follow, particularly as Macau prepares for future licensing renewals and tighter scrutiny on AML (anti-money laundering) enforcement.
