MACAU police are preparing a confidential intelligence report on the background of Russian prostitute Natalia Samofalova, shot dead in Vladivostok with Hong Kong lawyer Gary Alderdice.
Investigators are examining what authorities said were ''two branches of the Russian Mafia'' in the Portuguese enclave and their organisation of prostitutes from Vladivostok to work in Macau.
A prostitute who arrived with Samofalova in September last year, Olga Bogdacheuskaia, may be able to shed further light on Samofalova's contacts in Vladivostok, authorities said.
Samofalova, who was 19 when she met Alderdice, was controlled by one of 10 Russian pimps registered with the Macau Government to work in nightclubs as pianists, the authorities said.
In Vladivostok, the district prosecutor involved in the case, Alexander Cherbekhov, said claims that Alderdice, 48, was carrying US$150,000 (HK$1.15 million) had been largely discounted.
Before leaving Hong Kong to join his lover in Vladivostok, Alderdice withdrew about US$2,500 to take with him, sources said.