Police recover HK$30 million in gold swapped for fabric softener in hotel theft

Hong Kong's police force have recovered an estimated HK$30 million worth of stolen gold and apprehended two individuals in relation to a complex hotel-room scam. During the heist, 30kg of gold granules, valued at approximately HK$30 million (US$3.8 million), were allegedly swapped for eight bottles of fabric softener in a Kwun Tong hotel.

The victim, a mainland Chinese man, reported the theft to authorities early Wednesday, after noticing the gold was replaced with an equivalent weight of fabric softener and a friend who had been traveling with him went missing. Police utilized the city's extensive surveillance camera network to uncover the identities of the suspects.

Two men were arrested in Tai Po, with one found in possession of a hotel room card in the same district. The officers subsequently recovered the stolen gold from the hotel room. The second suspect was apprehended while attempting to flee Hong Kong via the Lo Wu control point. Chief Inspector Tang Tsz-hin of the Kwun Tong police district labeled the operation as "meticulously planned".

The alleged mastermind, identified as the victim's traveling companion, is suspected of orchestrating the scheme by arranging for two men to purchase the fabric softener in advance and booking an adjacent hotel room. The two suspects, aged 27 and 41, are Chinese nationals with dual permits and are currently being held for further investigation.

The victim, also holding a two-way permit, has been primarily engaged in buying and selling gold at licensed institutions. Police believe the mastermind had already departed Hong Kong prior to the victim's report and are actively searching for him. According to Hong Kong law, theft can result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.