Macau Casino Chip Scam Results in Arrest of Eight Suspects

Casino operators are often targeted by criminals who attempt to cheat or manipulate the games for their advantage. While some try to cheat, others engage in fraudulent activities such as using fake chips to play. Last year, a massive fraudulent scheme was uncovered in Macau with police authorities seizing nearly 1,000 fake chips. During the police operation, it was uncovered that close to 500 counterfeit casino chips were used at Galaxy Macau Casino.

Now, the Judiciary Police in Macau arrested individuals suspected of being involved in similar activities. Last week, law enforcement was notified by a casino in Cotai City that an inspection uncovered counterfeit casino chips. One of the casino dealers at the venue was conducting a routine check of the chips when they found inconsistencies related to 25 chips that appeared in the bead trays of two gaming tables at once.

This is when the casino uncovered that it was defrauded by a group of individuals who used fake chips. The casino, whose name was not released by the Judiciary Police, found out that the culprits transformed HK$100 ($13) chips into HK$10,000 ($1,300) chips. At least 33 counterfeit casino chips were discovered at the aforementioned casino, causing an estimated loss of HK$1.62 million ($200,000).

Police Arrests Suspects, Continues Investigations

It wasn’t long before suspects were detained in relation to the fraudulent activity. According to the Judiciary Police, four individuals allegedly involved in the activity were detained by the casino’s security guards. Still, the casino identified that more people were involved and notified law enforcement.

Another suspect, believed to be involved in the fraudulent activity was successfully tracked down and detained by the police. All of the detainees are mainland China residents. The five people who were arrested claimed that they acted upon directions given by a higher-ranking member of the criminal group.

Besides the five people arrested, police uncovered that more individuals involved in the fraudulent activity were at large. As a result, three other individuals, labeled as key members of the criminal group, were detained in mainland China through cooperation between the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department and the Zhuhai Criminal Police Detachment.

Overall, eight people allegedly involved in the criminal activity were arrested. Law enforcement confirmed the investigation into the case continues.