Macau’s Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, expressed a desire for enhanced cooperation and intelligence exchanges with security counterparts in mainland China to combat illicit money-exchange networks in the city. Following a meeting with a delegation from China’s Ministry of Public Security, Wong stressed the importance of addressing the roots of unauthorized currency exchanges occurring in and around the casinos in Macau.
Key Points:
- Tackling Illicit Money Exchange Gangs: Wong emphasized the need to tackle illicit money-exchange gangs operating in the vicinity of Macau’s casinos. These groups engage in unauthorized currency swaps, primarily involving Hong Kong dollars and Chinese yuan due to the prevalence of mainland Chinese customers in Macau’s casinos.
- Security Concerns and Criminal Activities: Unauthorized currency trading has been linked to various criminal activities, including murders, money laundering, scams, robberies, and thefts. This issue has become a significant security concern in Macau, prompting a call for collaboration and intelligence sharing to address these criminal activities at their roots.
- Cooperation with Mainland Authorities: Wong highlighted the necessity of strengthening cooperation with mainland Chinese authorities to combat these criminal activities effectively. The meeting with the delegation from China’s Ministry of Public Security focused on briefing them about local police efforts against internet and telecommunications scams and the ongoing battle against illicit money exchange gangs.
- Government Considerations: The Macau government is considering the criminalization of unauthorized money-changing as a potential measure to curb such activities. This underlines the government’s commitment to address the issue comprehensively and enforce stringent measures to ensure security and combat related criminal activities.
The collaboration and intelligence exchanges between Macau’s security forces and their counterparts on the mainland reflect a proactive approach to enhance security and maintain law and order in the region. Addressing the issue of illicit money exchange is crucial to ensure a safe and secure environment for both residents and visitors in Macau.