The Judiciary Police (PJ) say that 3,655 people were arrested in local casinos and surrounding areas for illegally engaging in currency-exchange activities during the first quarter of this year, a 78 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to their written reply to lawmaker Ella Lei Cheng I’s written interpellation in May.
According to the statement, the increase in the number of "money changers" is believed to be closely related to Macau’s relaxation of the border-crossing measures, as well as the recovery of the gaming industry.
Macau’s entry restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were gradually lifted at the beginning of this year.
The statement said that the police have continued to assess the impact of illegal currency-exchange activities on public order and stepped up their efforts and frequency of combating the phenomenon.
In response to the rising number of fraud, robbery and even homicide cases due to the illegal currency-exchange activities, the police have met with the Macau Monetary Authority (AMCM) to cooperate in strengthening their joint fight against illegal currency-exchange activities on the fringes of the gaming industry by imposing more severe consequences on those engaged in the illicit business.
In addition, the statement said that the police will continue to step up efforts to combat illegal immigration and overstaying, with 18 illegal immigrants and 4,713 overstayers intercepted in the first four months.
