Man captured for nine hours over lost HKD30,000 casino loan

A mainland man was held captive for nine hours in a residential unit in the Patane district after failing to repay a HKD30,000 loan from a loan shark.

While captive, the victim managed to contact his family, who reported the incident to the Judiciary Police (PJ).

Around 10 a.m. on January 18, the PJ received a report of someone being held captive in a Patane residential unit due to an unpaid loan shark debt.

Authorities identified the location and carried out a rescue operation, freeing the victim at approximately 5:30 p.m.

The two mainland men responsible for guarding him were also apprehended. Both are unemployed, aged 37 and 28.

During investigation, the suspects admitted receiving HKD500 each for assisting in the confinement and revealed that HKD10,000 in interest had been collected during gambling sessions.

Police have formally charged them with “unlawful lending for gambling” and “deprivation of liberty of others”, transferring the case to the Public Prosecutions Office.

It was reported that the victim was approached around 6 a.m. Sunday near a ZAPE casino for a HKD 30,000 loan, with HKD3,000 deducted upfront as interest. An agreement stipulated 20% of winnings from each successful bet as further interest, after which the two mainland men accompanied the victim to a casino. Ricaela Diputado