Macau’s total reported crimes dropped 1.1 percent year-on-year in the first half of this year to 6,628, down from 6,699 in the same period last year. Meanwhile, police investigated 1,278 gaming-related crimes – a 12.2 percent increase – Secretary for Security Chan Tsz King announced yesterday.
According to Chan, fraud cases fell 10.8 percent year-on-year to 1,006, down from 1,128. Among these, phone scams dropped 15.7 percent to 113, while online fraud fell 47.9 percent to 170.
Consequently, the combined number of phone scams and online fraud cases stood at 283, a year-on-year decrease of 38.5 percent. Chan said this highlighted the effectiveness of police anti-fraud efforts and a significant increase in public awareness.
Chan noted that victims of online investment fraud, online romance scams, and fake law enforcement phone scams typically suffered more substantial financial losses than those targeted by other types of scams.
Chan announced the January-June crime statistics during a press conference yesterday at the S. Francisco Barracks, where his office is located. He noted that the Office of the Secretary for Security (GSS) has adjusted its release schedule, shifting from quarterly press conferences to holding them every six months. However, the office will continue to publish quarterly crime statistics on its website as usual.
Police recorded 129 violent crime cases in the first half of the year, up 4 percent year on year. The period saw no homicides, no kidnappings, and only one case of grievous bodily harm, compared to one homicide and two grievous bodily harm cases in the first half of last year.
Rape cases rose by five year-on-year to 22. Chan said over 70 percent of the victims were non-locals, with most incidents occurring in hotel guestrooms. He added that some cases involved financial disputes between the victims and suspects, and police have not ruled out the possibility that the arguments stemmed from commercial sex work.
Cases of child sexual abuse – defined as involving minors under the age of 14 – fell by two year-on-year to 17. Chan said most of these cases involved minor sexual harassment or consensual sex between peers of similar ages.
Robberies rose by three year-on-year to 21 cases. Most occurred in or around casino resorts, frequently involving illegal currency exchange dealers or loan sharks who were targeted during transactions. Drug trafficking cases also rose by one year-on-year to 31.
Of the 1,278 gaming-related crimes investigated, police recorded 259 cases of illegal currency exchange (up 7.9 percent), 87 cases of loan sharking (down 13.9 percent), and six cases of false imprisonment linked to gambling loans (down 53.8 percent).
During the press conference, Chan was asked about a large-scale “sauna” prostitution racket busted last month involving three active-duty Public Security Police (PSP) officers and three retired Judiciary Police (PJ) officers.
Chan replied that corruption would not be tolerated under any circumstances, emphasising that the case would be handled strictly and impartially regardless of rank or position. He added that no further details could be disclosed at this time due to judicial confidentiality.
Insisting that the case was an isolated incident, Chan said a few “bad apples” should not overshadow the long-term dedication of the vast majority of public security personnel.
Chan said the public security forces are using the case as a lesson to review internal operational mechanisms and reinforce clean governance. He expressed confidence that these measures would strengthen integrity across the ranks and restore full public confidence in a clean police force.
Reporters also asked about the recent detection of multiple cases of illicit livestreaming of casino games to solicit online bets.
Chan replied that thanks to close cooperation from gaming concessionaires and swift action by on-site officers, the PJ has been able to crack down on these incidents immediately. He added that the situation “remains well under control” and that PJ analysis suggests these are isolated incidents rather than organised crime operations.
Flanked by officials under his portfolio, Secretary for Security Chan Tsz King (centre) speaks during yesterday’s press conference at S. Francisco Barracks. – Photo: Tony Wong
