Macau’s Judiciary Police have arrested 15 men and women from mainland China for their involvement in a loan-sharking ring.
Officers raided two apartments in Taipa on Tuesday where they found the suspects as well as 15 IOU notes, working guidelines and “a large batch of promotional cards,” it said.
Investigations had revealed that the accused were involved in a loan-sharking ring in which they would target players in Macau casinos. Police had previously busted three other dens that formed part of the syndicate between March and June 2017.
In a statement, the Judiciary Police said that the ring’s “work was meticulously divided up to avoid police investigation,” with the amount of money involved adding up to more than MOP$8 million.
The suspects have been transferred to the the Public Prosecutions Office with the charges of running a criminal syndicate and practising gambling-related usury.
The mastermind behind the syndicate is yet to be located.