Two Employees Arrested, Two Gamblers Detained for Testimony as Authorities Pursue Shop Owner Linked to High-Value Underground Transactions
Macau’s Judiciary Police (PJ) have uncovered what they describe as a significant illegal currency exchange operation allegedly operating from within a jewellery shop located inside a Cotai casino hotel. The investigation, first reported by Macao Daily, has led to the arrest of two local sales employees and the temporary detention of two mainland Chinese gamblers as authorities continue searching for the individual believed to be the mastermind behind the operation.
According to investigators, the shop is suspected of having facilitated illicit money-for-currency services for casino patrons since at least July of this year. Based on police estimates, the operation processed approximately HK$190 million (US$24.3 million) in unauthorised exchange transactions over several months. The operators reportedly generated illegal profits of around HK$5.8 million through these activities.
The two arrested employees, identified only by their surnames Chen (30) and Law (29), allegedly received regular monthly compensation for assisting gamblers in converting renminbi (RMB) into Hong Kong dollars, funds that were then used immediately on casino gaming floors. The two mainland customers detained for statements confirmed to authorities that they had conducted currency exchanges within the jewellery shop shortly before gambling.
Police cited two specific instances observed during the operation: one gambler exchanged RMB 1,000 (US$141.7) for HK$1,000, while another converted RMB 19,000 into HK$20,000. Both exchanges were reportedly conducted using QR-code transfers, with the shop providing cash directly to the gamblers.
The PJ launched the investigation following intelligence received in mid-November regarding suspected currency exchange activity. Officers executed the operation late one morning, intercepting the sales staff and gamblers at both the shop and the casino premises.
During the raid, authorities seized HK$840,950 in cash, RMB 9,600, mobile phones and a banknote-counting machine believed to be linked to the illicit trading operation. One gambler was found with just HK$500 in gaming chips remaining, while the other had already lost the full amount previously exchanged.
The case has now been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office for further legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the PJ continues efforts to locate the jewellery shop owner believed to have organised and overseen the large-scale illegal currency exchange scheme.
