MACAU — A Hong Kong man connected to an illegal money exchange operation was found dead in a hotel room in Cotai on Wednesday, prompting a swift police investigation.
The body of the middle-aged victim was discovered by hotel staff around 4 p.m. local time. Authorities reported that he had sustained severe injuries to his neck and head, with a significant amount of blood located in the bathroom. Two knife blades, each approximately 6 centimeters in length, were recovered from the scene.
Initial inquiries revealed that the victim had been part of a “money exchange gang” for at least six months and had recently won around HK$2.5 million at a local casino.
Within hours of the discovery, Macau police arrested a 40-year-old man from mainland China, surnamed Yang, who is suspected of murdering the victim during a robbery attempt. Authorities believe Yang’s actions were driven by jealousy over the victim’s gambling success.
Additionally, a 48-year-old Hong Kong woman, surnamed Tang, was taken into custody for allegedly assisting in the transfer of the crime’s proceeds. Both individuals are reportedly linked to the illegal money exchange operations that have proliferated in Macau.
As investigations continue, police have recovered approximately HK$1.7 million in connection with the case. The incident has raised concerns about the ongoing issues surrounding illegal gambling and money laundering in the region.
