Macau’s total number of reported crimes in 2024 increased by 6.0 percent year-on-year, reaching 14,298, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak announced yesterday.
He noted that the figure also reflects a 0.8 percent rise compared to pre-pandemic 2019, which saw 14,178 suspected crimes.
Macau recorded its first COVID-19 case in January 2020.
Wong presented Macau’s 2024 crime statistics during a press conference held at S. Francisco Barracks yesterday.
Increase in violent crime
In 2024, although there was only one homicide case – related to illegal currency exchange activities -violent crime overall rose by 7.4 percent to 290 cases. This included 48 robberies, 48 rapes, 44 cases of arson, 51 cases of selling and trafficking in drugs, and 61 incidents of illegal imprisonment.
Wong noted that the rise in rape cases compared to both 2023 (43 cases) and 2019 (41 cases) can be categorised into two groups: non-local victims, with incidents mainly occurring in hotel rooms, potentially related to prostitution, and local residents, where some cases happened in bars after the victims had been drinking. He added that in many instances, victims and suspects were already acquainted.
Gambling-related crimes jump by 32.5 pct
During the conference, Wong highlighted a 32.5 percent rise in gambling-related crimes, bringing the total to 1,456 cases. He noted that the new law criminalising illegal currency exchanges in and around casinos, effective since last October, contributed to this increase, with police cracking down on 89 illegal currency exchange operations last year. Wong added that the rise in gambling crimes also correlated with a boost in tourism. However, he reassured the public that the new law would effectively curb other gambling-related offences.
Spike in computer crimes, dip in phone scams
Computer crimes also saw a significant uptick, with a 71.6 percent increase to 992 cases in 2024, including 689 incidents of online credit card fraud. Conversely, phone fraud cases decreased by 16 percent to 355. However, “placing fake order” scams surged by 2.1 times to 40 cases.
Wong underlined that in relation to the fraud cases, the police have been collaborating closely with banks, preventing or reversing 597 transactions totalling nearly 110 million patacas. Furthermore, after being notified by the Macau police, mainland authorities were able to freeze over 500 bank accounts associated with fraud cases in Macau, preventing losses of around 11 million yuan. The funds have gradually been returned to the victims, Wong added.
Regarding Monday’s film shoot accident, where a mainland driver lost control during filming and injured 12 extras, Wong reiterated that the police had previously opposed the shooting methods used by the mainland film crew. Wong said that he was “shocked” upon learning of the incident, as earlier meetings had clearly warned against high-speed driving. Wong underscored the need for strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent future accidents.
He also pointed out that due to the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s (IC) approval of the film shoot, current laws lack enforcement provisions to lay charges in such incidents. Public Security Police (PSP) Commissioner Ng Kam Wa confirmed that the police had clearly expressed their disagreement with the crew’s plans for high-speed car drifting, and though the crew had promised compliance initially, they ultimately did not adhere to the deal. The police have since told the bureau to halt the crew’s filming in Macau.
In response to a reporter’s enquiry about Wednesday’s fire incident in which a 61-year-old local man lost his life in Lok Kuan Building in Seac Pai Van, Wong underlined that certain investigatory details should remain undisclosed due to procedural concerns. Wong reassured the public that investigations into the causes of death are always thorough and that any necessary disclosures will respect individual privacy and legal permissions.
The Judiciary Police (PJ) said in a statement yesterday that the victim was a person with long-term mental problems and a record of self-injury. The statement also pointed out that the still preliminary investigation ruled out the possibility of homicide.
Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak addresses yesterday’s press conference at the S. Francisco Barracks about Macau’s 2024 crime statistics. – Photo: William Chan
