Police from Macau, Guangdong and Hong Kong detected 62 cases of illegal money exchange and apprehended around 100 people suspected of being part of money exchange gangs as part of a month-long joint operation codenamed “Thunderstorm 2025”.
Authorities said that the operations comprised 625 targeted crackdowns and patrols during the month of August on casinos, entertainment venues, nightclubs and key surrounding areas.
These detected multiple gambling-related offences, including 29 cases of illegal lending for gambling purposes, resulting in the apprehension of 41 individuals. Subsequently, 62 cases of illegal gambling-related money exchange involving “money exchange gangs” were uncovered, leading to the arrest of 100 suspects.
Furthermore, police said they resolved 85 fraud cases, apprehending another 100 individuals, and 14 money laundering offences, with 16 individuals apprehended.
They indicated that during the operation, 405 individuals implicated in criminal cases were subjected to compulsory measures or sentenced after being referred to judicial authorities. Among these, 13 were remanded in custody and one received a custodial sentence with immediate imprisonment.