Hong Kong police have detained 15 Hong Kong residents in connection with a robbery involving about ¥1 billion in cash from a Japanese company's employees. The theft took place in central Hong Kong, and the stolen money has not been recovered.
Hong Kong police announced on December 22 that they had detained 15 Hong Kong residents linked to a robbery of about ¥1 billion in cash in central Hong Kong. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island, where two Chinese employees of a Japanese company dealing in cryptocurrency and luxury apparel were targeted while heading to exchange currency. The victims were carrying Japanese yen in four suitcases.
According to police, the robbery was executed in about 30 seconds and appeared highly premeditated. Authorities believe the suspects had prior knowledge of the cash transport route. Hong Kong media initially reported that employees of a foreign exchange shop were robbed, but it was later clarified that the victims worked for the Japanese firm.
The stolen cash has not been recovered, and investigations continue. The crime, occurring in a bustling area, has raised concerns about security in the city. Police are probing the suspects' motives and possible accomplices.
Such a large-scale cash heist is rare in Hong Kong and has drawn international attention.