14 arrested over alleged casino protection ring

Fourteen people have been arrested for allegedly running a protection racket at a Cotai casino, extorting at least HKD1.4 million from gamblers and others suspected of illegal activities, the Judiciary Police (PJ) said Thursday.

Authorities said the group used threats, coercion and abuse of power to extort payments while protecting illegal activity inside and around the casino.

Police announced that they have so far arrested 14 suspects during raids at a Cotai casino and residential units.

According to the PJ, those detained include two security managers, one security supervisor, six security department employees and five intermediaries. Of the suspects, 10 are men and four are women, with 12 of the 14 identified as Macau residents.

Regarding the ring’s activity, PJ investigators said the group had been active for at least one year and is believed to have collected no less than HKD1.4 million in illicit proceeds.

According to the PJ, the scheme centered on a security manager identified as Pang, 66, who allegedly led and coordinated the operation. Other suspects, surnamed Hui, Chung, Kuo, Chan, Chiu, Fung, Kwan, and another Chan, were said to have played varying roles in pressuring gamblers suspected of illegal conduct. The five intermediaries, who were unemployed, allegedly handled contact with targets, negotiated payments and passed money along to the security staff.

Authorities said the ring initially involved direct contact between casino security staff and suspected offenders. However, to reduce the risk of detection, the group later relied on intermediaries, who allegedly photographed targets inside the casino and sent the images to security personnel before approaching the individuals to demand payments.

According to the PJ, victims were typically asked to pay about MOP10,000 in exchange for being left alone. In some cases, the group also allegedly demanded so-called “case-handling fees” ranging from MOP5,000 to MOP40,000.

The PJ said the suspects primarily targeted people involved in theft, fraud and other gambling-related offenses.

Seven mainland Chinese men and women have been identified as witnesses, while investigators believe there may be at least 30 victims.

During the arrests, officers seized 24 mobile phones, more than HKD200,000 in cash and property worth about HKD130,000.