Two mainland men detained over HKD50,000 casino-chip scam

Two mainland Chinese men have been detained after allegedly using a forged bank-transfer screenshot to defraud a woman of HKD50,000 worth of casino chips, the Judiciary Police (PJ) said during a special press conference on Wednesday.

The suspects, surnamed Wu and Li, are 28 and 20, respectively. They allegedly targeted a middle-aged mainland woman who was engaged in private money-changing activities at a Cotai casino.

Police received a report at about 10:30 p.m. Monday after the woman discovered that the transfer she had been shown had not reached her account.

According to investigators, Wu approached the woman and presented a screenshot claiming to show that payment had been made. Believing the transfer was genuine, she handed him casino chips worth HKD50,000.

Wu then left the scene, while Li allegedly remained with the woman to delay her and prevent her from immediately checking whether the money had arrived.

When the woman confirmed that no payment had been received, she tried to pursue the suspects and alerted casino security staff. Security personnel detained the men before police arrived.

In addition, the woman who handed over the chips is also being investigated because private money-changing activities are illegal if conducted without the required authorization, police said. Her case will be handled separately.

Li was also referred to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) after investigators raised questions about his age and possible status as a minor.

According to Law No. 10/2012, the legal age to enter a gaming venue in Macau is 21 years.