Hong Kong Police Crack Down on $142M Illegal Gambling Syndicate

Major Bust of Illegal Gambling Network in Hong Kong

Authorities in Hong Kong have successfully dismantled a criminal network involved in illegal gambling and money laundering worth $142 million. This illegal operation is believed to be connected with the Sun Yee On triad, one of the most notorious criminal groups in the region.

Details of the Police Operation

The crackdown resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals, including the group’s leader, who is reportedly a senior member of the Sun Yee On triad. The illegal activities were primarily conducted in the New Territories and Kowloon areas of Hong Kong.

Law enforcement officials targeted two key locations identified during the investigation. During the arrests, police confiscated assets including $3.2 million in cash from the leader’s residence, along with an additional $2.1 million in cash and luxury watches valued at $900,000.

Since 2021, Hong Kong police have made significant progress in curbing illegal gambling activities, arresting thousands involved in a range of offenses related to gambling. Recent figures from 2023 indicate a total of 6,101 arrests for gambling-related crimes, covering both organized crime involvement and individual participation.

Broader Criminal Activities of Sun Yee On Triad

The investigation also uncovered multiple bank accounts suspected to be used by the syndicate for their operations. Police monitoring of the group’s activities spanned about a year before executing the bust.

Beyond illegal gambling and money laundering, the Sun Yee On triad has been linked to a wide array of criminal enterprises including drug trafficking, loan sharking, extortion, and fraud.