Woman detained after allegedly sheltering overstayer for six years

[Photo: Yuki Lei]

A woman was arrested by police after allegedly providing accommodation to another Vietnamese woman who had overstayed in Macau for six years, the Judiciary Police (PJ) said.

The overstayer, a middle-aged Vietnamese woman who had previously been involved in a fraud case, entered Macau as a visitor six years ago and remained in the city beyond her permitted stay.

Her previous fraud case was closed after a PJ investigation. Police said she had been relying on remittances from family members for financial support and had frequently visited casinos.

Since 2024, she had been renting a room in a northern district apartment owned by a Vietnamese woman, paying MOP2,000 per month in rent.

The 41-year-old female landlord allegedly received a total of MOP48,000 in rent. She was arrested on suspicion of providing shelter to a person who was illegally staying in Macau and was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) for further handling.

The PJ said it believes other individuals may also have assisted in sheltering the overstayer and is continuing its investigation to locate the suspected accomplices.

Two arrested for illegal money exchange activities

During an inspection at a casino in the ZAPE district on July 7, officers discovered a 51-year-old mainland man, allegedly an illegal money exchanger, negotiating with a gambler to exchange RMB8,750 for HKD10,000 in cash. Police intercepted the man and found two mobile phones and HKD8,300 in suspected proceeds in his possession.

The PJ believes the suspect had been conducting illegal currency exchange activities in Macau since October 2024, allegedly making about HKD270,000 in illegal profits.

In a separate case, a 42-year-old mainland man was found approaching passersby at a hotel in Cotai. Officers discovered that he had allegedly agreed to exchange RMB7,920 for HKD9,000 in cash. Police found one mobile phone and casino chips worth HKD69,000 on him.

The PJ believes the second suspect had been involved in illegal money exchange activities since January this year. Both men were transferred to the MP for further investigation.