Hong Kong police have arrested a jobless man accused of accepting HK$2 million (US$257,0000) in illegal football bets on Sunday hours before Argentina beat France in the World Cup final.
Officers also seized HK$1.5 million in jewellery and watches along with HK$40,000 in cash in a Hung Hom hotel room where the man stayed and impounded his HK$1 million car, police said on Monday.
Detectives from the organised crime and triad bureau, acting on intelligence, raided the hotel room at about 2pm on Sunday.
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The 30-year-old man was arrested after about HK$2 million in betting records were seized on the premises. The suspect was detained on suspicion of bookmaking and promoting bookmaking.
In Hong Kong, the maximum punishment under the Gambling Ordinance for such acts is seven years in jail and a HK$5 million fine.
As of Monday morning, the man was still being held for questioning.
Last month, officers from the New Territories South regional crime unit arrested seven social media influencers on suspicion of using online platforms to promote overseas gambling websites that accepted bets on World Cup football matches and horse racing.
Among the suspects was local actress Bui Yee-lam, 28, also known as Chantale Belle or Bui Yee, who has more than 220,000 followers on Instagram. She has starred in films such as To Love or Not to Love (2017), Delete My Love and I Sell Love (2014), and has appeared in television and online shows in recent years.
All the suspects have been released on bail pending further investigation.
More from South China Morning Post:
- World Cup crackdown on gambling in Hong Kong jails pays good return, prison chiefs say
- ‘Social media influencer Bui Yee-lam among 7 Hongkongers arrested for allegedly promoting gambling sites accepting bets on World Cup matches’
- Is Lionel Messi the GOAT, or just the greatest right now? World Cup win ends debate for some, but not all agree
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