Gang snatches HK$3.5 million from Hong Kong cryptocurrency trader at knifepoint after she transfers digital tokens to ‘buyer’
- Woman was paid HK$3.5 million in cash after using her iPhone to complete an online transaction to sell USDT tokens, police source says
- Three men then rushed from a room, and grabbed the money and iPhone before locking her in office
Hong Kong police are hunting for a gang of thieves who lured a female cryptocurrency trader to an office for a deal and robbed her of HK$3.5 million (US$448,700) in cash at knifepoint on Monday afternoon.
The robbery – the second such hold-up in two weeks – took place at the Ricky Centre on Chong Yip Street in Kwun Tong around 2.30pm, after the woman met a man posing as a buyer.
She had recently sold the man digital money in three transactions, each involving HK$600,000 to HK$700,000, according to police.
“Investigations showed she was paid HK$3.5 million in cash after using her iPhone to complete an online transaction and sell him USDT tokens,” a police source said, referring to a type of cryptocurrency.
“Soon after she was handed the money, three men carrying either a knife or a rod rushed out from a room and snatched the money and the iPhone from her at knifepoint.”
He said the four fled after locking the victim in the office. The source said the gang could have carried out the earlier deals to win her trust and pave the way for the hold-up.