• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Macau, mainland busts major POS cash ring: police

Jan 09, 2019 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Macau, mainland busts major POS cash ring: police

Macau’s Judiciary Police told local media on Tuesday that the force had helped disrupt a “large-scale” criminal operation allegedly involving point-of-sale (POS) machines that processed HKD1.2 billion (US$153 million) in transactions during 2018 alone.

The force said the machines were tampered with in such a way that casino gamblers in the city could use bank cards to withdraw cash from accounts in mainland China but it would seem the money had never left the mainland side of the border.

The names of the banking services that had been victim of the suspected POS device-tampering arrangement were not mentioned in Tuesday’s briefing. Previously machines authorised for use with China UnionPay Co Ltd-enabled cards had been among those targeted for this sort of scam.

A total of 21 people from mainland China was arrested on Monday at “luxury flats” at several locations on either Macau peninsula or in Taipa, local police added. The suspected gang was believed to have started an illegal POS operation in Macau in 2016.

Intelligence provided in November by police in mainland China had helped the local investigation team uncover the alleged plot. The Judiciary Police said it was also suspected that those involved had used profits from the POS operation for underground banking activities. Mainland-only transactions typically have lower fees than ones performed cross-border, and are not subject to the same caps on size and frequency of transaction.

The alleged illegal POS business involved units that had been modified without authorisation, then smuggled into Macau from mainland China.

The Judiciary Police said they believed the suspects had established “five accounts” in a VIP gaming room in a “Cotai casino” in pursuit of their illegal business. The police did not identify the venue.

Gambling patrons targeted by the alleged gang – and that had requested a cash advance via bank card – would have cash delivered to their rooms, drawn via funds held in the VIP room accounts.

The Judiciary Police froze a total of HKD25 million from the accounts that the suspects were believed to have lodged with the VIP room in question.

The force also told local media that police in mainland China had arrested 16 people on that side of the border on suspicion of helping the Macau ring. The mainland arrests were in Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Hubei, and also in Zhuhai, next door to Macau.

Further investigations were under way to track the flow of illicit money the group had allegedly handled via its underground banking operation, said on Tuesday the Judiciary Police.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • China bet-aid ban a Macau junket worry, JP Morgan says
    China bet-aid ban a Macau junket worry,...

    Dec 30, 2020  

  • Macau says helped bust US$1.8bln rogue POS terminal ring
    Macau says helped bust US$1.8bln rogue...

    Dec 29, 2020  

More news
  • Hoiana official opening scheduled for 2H 2021: UBS
    Hoiana official opening scheduled for...

    Jan 25, 2021  

  • Philippines to add POGOs to AML law to avoid FATF grey list
    Philippines to add POGOs to AML law to...

    Jan 25, 2021  


Latest News

Hoiana official opening scheduled for 2H 2021: UBS

Hoiana official opening scheduled for 2H 2021: UBS

Jan 25, 2021  

Brokerage UBS Securities Asia Ltd says in a recent note that the official opening for the Hoiana resort (pictured in an artist’s rendering), a Vietnam casino complex, is now planned for the second...
Read More
Philippines to add POGOs to AML law to avoid FATF grey list

Philippines to add POGOs to AML law to avoid FATF grey list

Jan 25, 2021  

Okada Manila warns against online casino using its name

Okada Manila warns against online casino using its name

Jan 25, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

"We have estimated that on average, the [daily] visitor arrivals for this year’s Chinese New Year break could turn out to be a bit weaker than for the Christmas holiday period"

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes

Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office



Most Popular

  • Sands China sixth Macau op to pledge staff extra paymentSands China sixth Macau op to pledge staff extra payment January 21, 2021
  • Londoner Macao first phase launch Feb 8 says Sands ChinaLondoner Macao first phase launch Feb 8 says Sands China January 21, 2021
  • Macau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel tiesMacau Covid-19 case no bar to mainland travel ties January 22, 2021
  • Digital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls BernsteinDigital yuan eventually for Macau mass bets mulls Bernstein January 22, 2021
  • Yokohama announces RFP timeline for casino bidYokohama announces RFP timeline for casino bid January 22, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us