Authorities not investigating Taiwan casino scam

Macau authorities told the Times yesterday that they are not investigating an alleged investment scam in Taiwan that swindled victims out of some TWD4.6 billion (MOP1.13 million) under the guise of an investment scheme in Galaxy Macau.
The suspects allegedly said that they were investing in Macau’s Galaxy casino, and told victims that they could earn bonus annual interest of between 20 and 60 percent that could be retrieved monthly. In addition, investors would be treated to two trips to Macau, where their investments could be converted into casino chips, according to The China Post.
However the funds may have reportedly never entered Macau. Both the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) and the Judiciary Police (PJ) say that they are not investigating the case.
A representative of DICJ said that it has not been contacted to assist in an investigation. “The DICJ has not received any request from any parties for assistance regarding the incident,” said the representative.
Meanwhile the PJ said that it “did not receive any complaints relating to the case.”
“Further we add that the case took place in Taiwan and has already been solved. A retired police officer has been detained,” a PJ representative asserted.
A senior public relations officer at Galaxy Entertainment Group told the Times that they have no knowledge of the matter, adding that the group “reserves all rights to take legal action against any individual that falsely uses the names of our company and properties.”
The suspected pyramid scheme allegedly made illegal profits by promoting shares in China’s Macau Galaxy casino, conning at least 70 victims according to New Taipei City prosecutor Lu Chun-chieh.
According to The China Post, one of the defendants in the court was a division head at Taipei City Police Department’s Songshan Precinct, previously awarded “Outstanding Police Officer” for his role in responding to the Taiwan Business Bank heist four years ago. Local Taipei media said that an alleged hand-
book on how to hook new unwitting investors had been discovered at his residence. DB