Hong Kong Central 10-Billion-Yen Robbery: 15 Arrested Over Cryptocurrency Exchange Link to Virtual-Currency Firms

COINOTAG News confirms fresh progress in the Central 10 billion yen (about HK$50 million) armed robbery case in Hong Kong. Authorities report 15 arrests, including the mastermind, with seven facing charges of conspiracy to commit robbery. The operation reportedly involved a Japanese firm active in virtual currency and luxury designer goods.

On December 18, two employees with four suitcases of yen were preparing to convert cash into cryptocurrency and Hong Kong dollars through a familiar money changer near the New World Tower in Central. Four knife-wielding robbers struck within 30 seconds, seizing the entire cash haul.

Investigators note a clearly divided criminal workflow: aggressors, lookouts, and transporters executed a rapid, cross-car transfer after the incident. While crime-scene equipment and apparel have been recovered, most of the funds remain missing. Police warn about heightened security risks for offline cash and cryptocurrency exchanges, with the inquiry ongoing.