Two employees of a Japanese company were robbed at knifepoint in Hong Kong while exchanging cryptocurrency, with the amount of 1 billion yen stolen in...

According to Mars Finance, on December 23, Hong Kong police announced the latest developments in the 1 billion yen (approximately HK$50 million) armed robbery case in Sheung Wan. Fifteen people have been arrested, including the mastermind, some of whom have triad backgrounds. Seven have been formally charged with "conspiracy to commit robbery." Police stated that the case involves a Japanese company engaged in cryptocurrency and designer handbag business. On the day of the incident (December 18), two company employees were carrying four suitcases containing a large amount of Japanese yen in cash, intending to exchange the funds for cryptocurrency and Hong Kong dollars through a familiar money exchange shop. However, near the New Era Plaza in Sheung Wan, they were robbed of all the cash in 30 seconds by four armed robbers. The investigation revealed a clear division of labor among the robbers: some were responsible for the robbery, some acted as lookouts, and some provided vehicles and quickly transferred the stolen money afterward. The police have recovered the knives, clothing, and masks used in the crime, but the whereabouts of most of the stolen money are still under investigation. Police emphasized that they believe all those involved have been apprehended. The case highlights the security risks associated with offline exchanges of large sums of cash and cryptocurrency, and the investigation is ongoing.