Macau and Mainland police target cross-border money exchange syndicates
251 suspects apprehended as new laws take effect.
Key points:
– Suspected illegal money changers intercepted fell by over 80% year-on-year
– 157 cases of illegal currency exchange investigated in the first quarter
– Two cross-border syndicates dismantled in March through joint police operations
As reported by Macao Daily, the first quarter of 2025 saw a significant drop in illegal money exchange activity in Macau following the implementation of strengthened legal provisions targeting gambling-related crimes. Police intercepted 251 individuals allegedly involved in unauthorised currency exchange, a decrease of more than 80% compared to the same period last year.
The enforcement of the revised Law on Combating Unlawful Gambling Crimes, which introduced specific provisions against “operating illegal currency exchange for gambling,” contributed to the drop. Authorities recorded 157 relevant cases, of which 132 were directly filed under the new offence. The remaining cases, initially logged under other charges, were later found to involve illicit exchange activity.
Macau police also enhanced collaboration with law enforcement counterparts in mainland China. After five joint operations in 2024, both sides conducted another joint crackdown in March 2025.
Good to know: Loan sharking and unlawful confinement, once prevalent among gambling-linked crimes, also showed marked declines in the first quarter
The coordinated effort dismantled two major cross-border syndicates and led to the arrest of more than 60 suspects. These groups operated through fake delivery services and luxury retail stores to disguise unauthorised currency exchanges for casino patrons. The funds involved totalled HK$7.9bn (US$1bn).
Authorities noted that some of the criminal groups have expanded into unlicensed lending. Police reaffirmed their commitment to continue cracking down on all forms of illegal financial activity connected to the gaming sector.
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