A man in his forties from mainland China has been arrested for allegedly embezzling US$600,000 (4.8 million patacas) and 250,000 euros (2.1 million patacas), equivalent to a total of around 7 million patacas, from his employer, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Cheong Kim Fong said during a special press conference yesterday.
The suspect surnamed Wang told the police that he’s jobless. The male local victim is an illegal money exchange dealer.
According to Cheong, the male victim rented a shop near the Barrier Gate checkpoint so that he could store the foreign currency brought into Macau by parallel traders. Wang worked in the shop to keep an eye on the money.
On Monday morning, the victim took US$600,000 and 250,000 euros to the shop and left. Later, another employee informed the victim that all the money had been taken away by Wang. The victim reported the case to the police after he lost contact with Wang
The police found Wang hiding in a foot massage parlour in the city centre and arrested him later that day. They found US$10,000 (80,000 patacas) and 18,600 yuan (20,000 patacas) on him, which they suspected to be part of the embezzled money.
Under questioning, Wang denied the accusation and refused to cooperate or disclose the whereabouts of the remaining cash.
Wang was transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday, facing an embezzlement charge, according to Cheong.
Evidence seized from the suspect such as banknotes is displayed at the Judiciary Police (PJ) headquarters yesterday. – Photo: William Chan
