At 9:47 a.m. today (30th), police received a report from a female employee of a money exchange shop at 272 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, stating that she witnessed two men being robbed of a large sum of cash outside the shop by two thieves who then fled in a private car. Police arrived at the scene and, after a preliminary count, confirmed that a total of 51 million yen (approximately HK$2.57 million) had been stolen.
The two men who were robbed were aged 27 and 51, both Japanese nationals who entered the country with passports. According to reports from the scene, the two victims had brought 51 million yen in cash to a money exchange shop to exchange it, but were robbed outside the door; a woman was taken into custody by police for questioning.
It is understood that the two thieves, dressed in dark clothing, escaped in a getaway car after the robbery. The case has been classified as "robbery" and is being investigated by the Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Unit.
A large number of police officers were present at the scene. They inquired with the money exchange that reported the incident and another money exchange next door. No one has been arrested so far.
According to the Cross-Border Flow of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Ordinance, persons arriving in Hong Kong (including Hong Kong residents and tourists) who possess a large amount of currency and bearer negotiable instruments (cash items) with a total value or equivalent exceeding HK$120,000 must make a written declaration to Customs using the "Red Channel". Persons arriving in Hong Kong from places other than designated control points (such as passengers arriving in Hong Kong by ferry via ship anchorage), or persons about to depart Hong Kong, must disclose whether they possess a large amount of cash items when requested by Customs officers, and if so, make a written declaration.
Anyone who violates the reporting and disclosure requirements for the first time can be released from legal liability by paying HK$2,000; other cases will be handled through criminal proceedings, with a maximum fine of HK$500,000 and imprisonment for 2 years.
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