Macau: VIP agent allegedly stole US$35.8m from casino VIP deposits

Some 200 depositors are believed to have lost deposits after the closure of a VIP room last year.

Macau.- The Judiciary Police in Macau is investigating a sub-agent working in gambling junket promotions who failed to return nearly HKD280m (US$35.8m) from more than 200 deposit holders. Officers say the money was deposited in a casino VIP room over two years.

Police have not identified the junket operator who worked with the sub-agent nor the casino venue or location where the VIP business was conducted, but says the sub-agent is believed to have been involved in gambling transactions in Macau from October 2019 to September last year.

An investigation began after 18 depositors reported that they were unable to recover deposits totalling MOP27m after the closure of a VIP room last year.

Two Macau residents have been arrested and handed over to the prosecution on suspicion of serious fraud and criminal group crimes after reportedly refusing to cooperate with the investigation.

The Macau government is currently working with the city’s Legislative Council to develop a new regulatory framework that will include stricter financial conduct responsibility rules and accountability for employees and junkets. The new gaming bill would allow junket operators to each provide services to only one casino operator.