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Crime in Hong Kong
Hong KongLaw and Crime

Bitcoin trader robbed of HK$3 million in cash when ‘sellers’ in Hong Kong show up with knife

  • The 39-year-old trader from South Korea arrived for the exchange on Ashley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui
  • Armed gang snatches bag of cash he is carrying, cuts victim’s hand and then flees

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At least five robberies or scams involving bitcoin have taken place in Hong Kong already this year. Photo: Fung Chang
Danny Mok
A cryptocurrency trader was robbed of more than HK$3 million (US$128,500) in cash at knifepoint when he went to meet a bitcoin seller in Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon.

The 39-year-old trader from South Korea arrived at Astoria Building on Ashley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui for the exchange at about 6.20pm. He was approached by four men, one of whom attacked him with the knife.

The criminals snatched a bag he was carrying with about HK$3.29 million inside and fled. The trader asked a friend to call police and officers searched the area but failed to locate the suspects.

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Astoria Building on Ashley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Handout
Astoria Building on Ashley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Handout

The victim suffered a cut to his hand and was sent to hospital for treatment. Detectives from the Yau Tsim district crime squad are investigating.

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Several robberies involving digital currency have taken place in Hong Kong this year. In June, a 22-year-old cryptocurrency trader was sprayed in his eyes with an unknown substance and robbed of HK$2 million while on his way to buy the digital money in Kwun Tong. Three men and a woman were later arrested.

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