What To Know:
- Hong Kong police arrested 15 people over a 30-second daylight robbery in Sheung Wan, where attackers stole 1 billion yen, about HK$50 million, during a planned in-person crypto exchange.
- Officers said the crime was carried out by an organised local syndicate using surveillance, multiple vehicles, and a knife threat to seize four suitcases of cash and escape quickly.
- Seven suspects have been charged and remanded, while police continue to trace the missing funds and probe whether inside information led to the attack.
Hong Kong cops have arrested 15 people in connection with a violent daylight robbery in Sheung Wan, where criminals made off 1 billion Japanese yen, or roughly HK$50 million. The attack was carried out in less than a minute. Authorities say the case demonstrates the growing security risks around large in-person crypto transactions, even in tightly regulated financial hubs.
Hong Kong Cops Crack Down on Crypto Exchange Robbers
The robbery took place last Thursday morning outside a currency exchange shop on Wing Lok Street. Two employees of a Japanese firm involved in crypto and luxury goods had travelled to the area to exchange the funds into crypto and Hong Kong dollars. According to reports, the pair arrived at the shop around 9am when they were ambushed by three men who jumped out of a private vehicle parked nearby.
One of the attackers was armed with a 20-centimetre butcher knife and threatened the victims before seizing the four suitcases. The suspects then loaded the cash into their vehicle and fled. Superintendent Sin Kwok-ming said the entire operation was carefully co-ordinated and completed in about 30 seconds.
Police have since described the robbery as a meticulously organised operation carried out by a local syndicate. Chief Inspector Man Chi-yeung said investigators believe the group conducted advanced surveillance and positioned vehicles and personnel to ensure a swift escape. Shortly after leaving the scene, the suspects are believed to have met a second vehicle, where the stolen suitcases were transferred. The original getaway car was later abandoned on Jervois Street.
During a search of the abandoned vehicle, officers recovered a butcher knife suspected to have been used in the robbery, along with masks and drinks. A seven-seater vehicle linked to the case was later found in the New Territories. Police say these findings point to a clear division of roles, including scouting, execution, and post-robbery logistics.
Of the 15 suspects arrested, 11 are men and four are women, aged between 20 and 69. All are Hong Kong residents, and several are known to have triad backgrounds. Seven suspects, six men and one woman, have been formally charged with conspiracy to commit robbery. They include workers from the construction and decoration sectors as well as individuals listed as unemployed.
All seven showed up at Eastern Court on Monday briefly and were remanded in custody pending further investigation. While the police do think everyone who participated in the robbery has been taken into custody, they have not ruled out more arrests. Investigators are continuing to track down the stolen money which has not been found so far. Officers are also investigating whether suspects knew about the victims or had inside information of the planned transaction.
The case has highlighted the dangers posed by businesses conducting large over-the-counter crypto exchanges using physical cash. The statement also confirmed that a 43-year-old man holding a two-way exit permit for mainland China had been arrested last Thursday at Sheung Wan MTR station in connection with the case. But current evidence indicates that the man is not directly involved in the robbery, Superintendent Sin said. Officers said the man had Part 1 poisons and a suitcase containing foreign currency and they are investigating the source of those funds. Authorities have directed anyone with details on the robbery to contact the Crime Hong Kong Island Regional Headquarters.
Also Read: Hong Kong Considers Capital Rules Allowing Insurers Into Crypto
