Four men from the mainland who provided a gambler with a loan of HK$1 million have been apprehended, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Lou Chan Fai said during a regular press conference yesterday.
According to Lou, while on patrol in a Cotai casino’s VIP room on Monday, Judiciary Police officers noted what appeared to be loan-sharking activity involving four men who were surrounding a man, and frequently taking casino chips from him.
Under questioning, the police discovered that the male victim had requested a loan of HK$2 million from one of the suspects surnamed Li, who agreed to lend HK$1 million to the victim under unspecified conditions.
Lou noted that Li was the money lender, with the other three suspects serving as lookouts. Upon police intervention, it was discovered that the victim had already handed over HK$100,000 as “interest” to the loan sharks.
Police seized HK$512,000 in casino chips as evidence from the victim, as well as over HK$1.25 million in cash and chips from the quartet. Under questioning, the suspects refused to cooperate.
The suspects have been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) yesterday, facing usury charges.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Lou Chan Fai looks on during yesterday’s regular press conference. – Photo: William Chan
