The Macau Police recently dismantled a fake casino chip syndicate that had been active for nearly nine months. In the operation, seven mainland Chinese “runners” were arrested, and a total of 128 high-quality fake chips, each with a nominal value of HK$10,000, were seized. It is initially believed that these fake chips had not entered the market.
The investigation revealed that the fake chip syndicate specialized in cashing out chips for money changers or gamblers. Since July last year, they have succeeded six times, defrauding 17 individuals of over HK$1.2 million. The police are actively pursuing more than ten suspects, including the mastermind of the syndicate.
All seven arrested men, aged between 24 and 41, are unemployed. They are being charged with forming a criminal group, committing significant fraud, and engaging in deceptive gambling, and the case has been forwarded to the prosecution. The 17 victims (16 males and 1 female) are non-residents of Macau; some are money changers, and others are gamblers.
Investigations revealed that the mastermind of the criminal group had arranged for the seven arrested individuals to exchange the fake chips with the 17 victims at three casinos in Cotai and Macau in six instances between July and October of last year, and February and March this year, using various combinations. They defrauded the victims of over HK$1.2 million through bank transfers. The victims only realized the chips were fake when they attempted to redeem them at the casino’s cashier or gaming tables and sought police assistance.
