Police arrest 100 people after detecting 62 cases of illegal money exchange in joint Macau operation
Summary
Police forces from Macau, Guangdong and Hong Kong carried out a month-long joint operation codenamed “Thunderstorm 2025” in August, conducting 625 targeted crackdowns and patrols across casinos, entertainment venues, nightclubs and surrounding areas. The operation uncovered 62 cases of illegal gambling-related money exchange attributed to so-called “money exchange gangs,” leading to the arrest of around 100 suspects.
Officers also detected 29 cases of illegal lending for gambling purposes (41 arrested), resolved 85 fraud cases (100 arrested) and uncovered 14 money-laundering offences (16 arrested). In total, 405 people implicated in criminal cases were subjected to compulsory measures or referred to judicial authorities; of these, 13 were remanded in custody and one received immediate custodial imprisonment.
Key Points
- Operation “Thunderstorm 2025” was a month-long, cross-jurisdictional effort involving Macau, Guangdong and Hong Kong police.
- 625 targeted crackdowns and patrols were carried out in August across casinos and related entertainment districts.
- 62 cases of illegal money exchange linked to money exchange gangs were detected, resulting in ~100 arrests.
- 29 illegal lending-for-gambling cases led to 41 arrests; 85 fraud cases saw about 100 arrests; 14 money-laundering offences led to 16 arrests.
- 405 individuals were referred to judicial authorities or subjected to compulsory measures; 13 were remanded and one imprisoned immediately.
Context and Relevance
This crackdown sits within ongoing regional efforts to curb organised crime tied to the gaming sector. Macau — one of the world’s biggest gambling hubs — remains a focus for police keen to disrupt networks that facilitate illegal betting, money swapping and lending. For operators, regulators and compliance teams, the operation signals sustained enforcement pressure and the importance of tighter on-site controls and anti-money-laundering measures.
Why should I read this?
Quick and blunt: if you work in Macau gaming, payments, compliance or run venues where cash moves fast, this matters. The piece tells you what the cops found, how big the sweep was and who got pinched — basically the parts you need to know without wading through the full report. It’s a short snapshot of enforcement trends that could affect operations, patron screening and vendor checks.