Macau resident arrested for allegedly defrauding domestic worker of MOP15,000

The Public Security Police Force (PSP) announced yesterday at a press conference that a 50-year-old unemployed Macau resident has been arrested for allegedly defrauding a Filipina domestic worker of MOP15,000 in a fake hiring scheme.

According to police, on February 10, a Filipina woman in her twenties filed a report stating that she had learned from a friend about a woman who was hiring a domestic helper. The three individuals – the suspect, the victim, and a mutual friend – agreed to meet at the Immigration Building at Pac On to handle the relevant employment procedures.

During the meeting, the suspect demanded that the victim pay MOP20,000 in cash as a handling fee for hiring her.

After the victim paid the amount, police said the suspect was seen handing their mutual friend MOP5,000 of that money. The suspect then excused herself to go to the restroom and disappeared.

When questioned by the victim, the mutual friend said she had no knowledge of the incident and immediately returned the MOP5,000 to the victim.

After multiple failed attempts to reach the suspect, the victim reported the matter to the police, claiming a financial loss of MOP15,000.

Using information from the victim, on-site surveillance, and the city’s street surveillance system, police identified and located the suspect.

She was later detained on Avenida do Progresso in Taipa and taken to the police station for questioning.

According to PSP, she denied all allegations and declined to answer police questions.

Despite the suspect’s denial of the crime, the police said there is strong evidence and indications that the suspect violated Article 211 of the Penal Code (Fraud).

The case has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office for further investigation and for the suspect’s prosecution.