PSP promotes operations tackling illegal accommodation

The Public Security Police Force (PSP) has conducted an operation to tackle an illegal guesthouse on Taipa’s Rua de Évora.

According to the PSP, the force received a report alleging that a residential unit on Rua de Évora was suspected of operating as an “illegal guesthouse.”

Late last week, officers were dispatched to investigate the premises and discovered eight mainland Chinese nationals in the apartment.

Upon questioning, all individuals stated they had been introduced to the accommodation by unknown persons. While one of them claimed to be staying free of charge, the others said they were paying approximately HKD150 per day for lodging.

Additionally, officers discovered that four of the people staying at the alleged illegal lodging venue had overstayed their visas in Macau, with the PSP’s Immigration Division set to follow up on the matter.

During the investigation, officers also found documents in the possession of two overstaying individuals that did not belong to them.

When questioned, one person claimed a friend had entrusted him with the documents, while another stated he had found them earlier near the Avenida do Desporto in Taipa.

Another of those overstayers presented a forged residence permit slip to the police. After questioning, he admitted to paying RMB300 to an unknown individual earlier to arrange the forged document.

In addition to charges related to overstaying, the suspects are also facing accusations under Article 77 of Law No. 16/2021, “Use or Possession of Another Person’s Documents.” The case has been referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for investigation.

The PSP has sealed the housing unit and referred the case to the Macao Government Tourism Office for follow-up under the law on illegal accommodation.