Macau police arrest 15 in casino loan-sharking sting

Police confirmed the suspects were detained in connection with a scheme that charged gamblers extremely high interest rates, based on an agreed principal amount of RMB7m.

Addressing local reporters at a press conference, a Judiciary Police spokesperson confirmed the 12 men and three women were part of the same loan sharking operation that resulted in the arrest of 21 individuals in March and June this year.

The Macau Judiciary Police confirmed that they are searching for the mastermind of the suspected loan-sharking operation and are working in close cooperation with their counterparts in mainland China.

Officials have confirmed the 15 suspects will be transferred to the Public Prosecution Office for further questioning, and are facing charges of being part of an organised crime ring.

Authorities in Macau have reported a rise in the recorded number of gaming-related crimes in the first three months of this year with 424 cases being recorded during this period, creating a year-on-year jump of 15.2%.

During the first three months this year, a total of 105 cases of gaming-related suspected unlawful detention were recorded, representing a year-on-year increase of 18%. Typically the bulk of these unlawful detention cases are in connection with loan-sharking operations targeting Macau gamblers.

Nonetheless, suspected cases of usury, .i.e. the unlawful lending of money declined year-on-year by 16% in the first quarter to 84 instances, according to official figures.

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Robert Simmons

Gambling Writer

Robert Simmons served as a writer for Gambling Insider, where he was an active contributor from 2017 until 2018. Throughout his tenure, Robert executed in-depth market research and wrote over 500 news and press-release articles covering the global gambling industry under strict editorial standards and tight deadlines. He contributed editorial support to the production of five 100+ page Gambling Insider magazines, eight 25+ page Trafficology magazines, and five 25+ page special print focus editions. In addition, he produced 30 in-depth feature articles for print, secured over 30 contributions from external writers, and built long-standing professional relationships with industry stakeholders across all levels of the gambling sector.

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